Myanmar defends protest clampdown

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Myanmar's foreign minister told the United Nations the clampdown on protesters was justified because of alleged foreign meddling.

U Nyan Win told the U.N. General Assembly there had been no real issue with Buddhist monks protesting the doubling of fuel costs but said "political opportunists" from outside the country had fanned the flames by engaging students and others in the marches.

"They sought to turn the situation into a political showdown aided and abetted by some powerful countries," the minister said.

In reference toWwestern countries, Win said the country formerly known as Burma had observed an increased presence of "the ugly head of neo-colonialism," Voice of America reported Tuesday.

"The security personnel exercised utmost restraint and they did not intervene for nearly a month," Win said. "However, when the mob became unruly and provocative, they were compelled to declare a curfew. Subsequently, when protesters ignored their warnings, they had to take action to restore the situation."

At least 10 demonstrators were reported killed and hundreds more arrested last week, the report said.