Italy on Wednesday called for more action to pressure Burma's military rulers to ease tensions after a bloody crackdown on opposition protests that claimed at least ten lives.
Speaking amid reports that jailed monks were being released but police sweeps were continuing, Italian Premier Romano Prodi told the foreign press here:
"Stronger and more energetic international action is needed because, although the situation may appear calm on the surface, in reality it is disastrous".
Western human rights groups say the crackdown claimed many more lives than the ten the junta admits and even China, the closest thing the junta has to an ally, has urged restraint.
Prodi said he had written to the prime ministers of China and India urging them to help solve the crisis, which has sparked international outrage.
The Italian premier called for greater support for the mission of United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who had talks with the junta and detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a two-day visit this week.
Gambari is currently in Singapore, the duty chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has been engaged in a policy of "constructive engagement" with Burma.
However, neither this nor Western sanctions, beefed up after the crackdown, have lessened the Burmese generals' resolve to have no truck with protests.
Observers think the junta is unlikely to show any malleability now it believes it has wiped out its greatest threat in 20 years.
Despite this, Prodi voiced hope for a solution that might avert future clashes and pave the way for democracy.
"I hope we can support Gambari's work and I believe we must work as a united Europe with more force and vigour, because the problem is close to everyone's hearts," he said.
Gambari will shortly report back to the UN and is due to return to Burma next month.
Meanwhile, Japan said it may halt aid to Burma because of the death of a Japanese video journalist in the crackdown.
