The EU today agreed extended sanctions against Burma as the military regime continued its crackdown on the country's democratic movement.
At least eight truckloads of prisoners were hauled out of the former capital Rangoon today, according to witnesses.
There have been reports that thousands of Buddhist monks around whom protesters last week rallied, have been arrested and sent to ad hoc prisons in the north of the country.
The junta says 10 people were killed as the military quelled street protests last week but human rights groups believe the true figure to be in excess of 200.
EU diplomats said today that extra sanctions would include an expanded visa ban for members of the military junta, as well as expanded import bans on products such as timber and gemstones.
The new measures do not include a specific ban on European oil and gas companies from doing business in Burma.
An asset freeze and a ban on arms sales have been in place since 1996 and the new measures are due to get final approval by EU foreign ministers in a fortnight.
The EU also agreed to back new diplomatic efforts at the United Nations to push the junta into talks with pro-democracy groups.
But the regime of Senior General Than Shwe is notoriously recalcitrant though the leader met UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari yesterday and agreed to a further meeting next month.
Mr Gambari also urged him to open talks with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
However, within hours of his departure for Singapore householders near the Shwedagon Pagoda, the holiest shrine in the devoutly Buddhist country and starting point for the rallies, were arrested.
Singapore, chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) of which Burma is a member, said it "was encouraged by the access and cooperation" given to Mr Gambari but the envoy is unlikely to comment until he arrives at UN HQ in New York on Friday.
"I don't expect much to come of this. I think the top leadership is so entrenched in their views that it's not going to help," said David Steinberg, a Georgetown University expert on Burma.