The US has asked the UN Security Council to put Myanmar on its agenda for the first time, accusing its military rulers of repressing political opponents, including the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In a letter to the council president, US ambassador John Bolton accused the government of destroying villages, targeting ethnic minorities and failing to initiate democratic reforms. He also cited press reports that the authorities in Myanmar - formerly known as Burma - are seeking nuclear power capabilities. Russia and China blocked the last US attempt to get the Security Council to discuss Myanmar in June - and it was unclear whether they would do so again. |