The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Bangkok

An immediate regime change in Myanmar would be "impossible", France's foreign minister said Tuesday, suggesting that the world focus instead on a gradual move towards democracy in the military-run nation. "We are starting a process. We don't want to change the regime immediately, overnight. This is impossible, ridiculous and counter-productive," Bernard Kouchner said after meeting with Thai officials over the Myanmar crisis. Kouchner was in Bangkok on the second leg of an Asian tour to step up international pressure on Myanmar's junta after its bloody crushing of anti-regime protests in September. At least 13 people were killed and thousands arrested when Myanmar's leaders violently broke up the largest protests to challenge its rule in nearly 20 years, sparking international outrage. The United States and the European Union tightened sanctions intended to force the junta onto the path of democracy, and the UN issued a statement deploring the crackdown.