In Burma, hundreds of monks and activists have been arrested in a crackdown on popular protests against military rule. The military junta has imposed a curfew and banned public gatherings following more than a week of demonstrations that drew tens of thousands into the streets. Earlier today, police fired tear gas as some 10,000 people defied the order with a march through the city of Rangoon. International pressure on the Burma regime is increasing. On Tuesday, President Bush said the U.S. would tighten economic sanctions.

President Bush: “Americans are outraged by the situation in Burma, where a military junta has imposed a 19-year reign of fear. The United States will tighten economic sanctions on the leaders of the regime and their financial backers. We will impose an expanded visa ban on those responsible for the most egregious violations of human rights.”