Faced with mounting world outrage over violence in Myanmar, the UN Security Council was to meet on Monday, under pressure to quickly condemn the military regime for crushing pro-democracy protests.The 15-member body was to weigh a draft statement that would condemn "the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations" by Myanmar's rulers, urge them to "cease repressive measures" and release detainees as well as all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.The non-binding text, drafted by the United States, Britain and France, was submitted on Friday to the full council after members heard a report from UN emissary Ibrahim Gambari on his recent mission to defuse the crisis.But despite worldwide protests in support of Myanmar's embattled pro-democracy movement, the draft was likely to be toned down at the request of China, Russia and possiblyIndonesia, diplomats said.Meanwhile, Myanmar's state press trumpeted the release of hundreds of monks and demonstrators ahead of the council's meeting. State media reported today that the junta had donated thousands of dollars as well as food and medicines tomonasteries in Yangon, in an apparent gesture of reconciliation.The New Light of Myanmar newspaper said more than half of the 2,171 people arrested after the biggest anti-government protests in nearly two decades had been released, repeating figures given on state television.But army trucks remained stationed at Yangon landmarks on Sunday, including by the Sule and Shwedagon Pagodas - rallying points for last month's demonstrations.
