Burma's generals accused the foreign media today of publishing a "skyful of lies" about a crackdown on anti-junta protests in which Buddhist monks say five of their members were killed.
"Certain western media and anti-government media are broadcasting leading news stories and distorted news stories to stir up the mass protests," the official New Light of Myanmarnewspaper said in an editorial.
New Light of Myanmar editorial
"Now, the majority of the people who want to lead a peaceful life and are in favour of transition to democracy in a smooth way are gradually suffering from the evil consequences of the protests," it continued.
Rangoon is preparing for repeats of the biggest protests against the military junta since troops killed an estimated 3,000 protesters in 1988. But New Light'smain front-page story was about the appearance of the full moon.
However, in a report on the unrest on the back page, it said the crowd used catapults to pelt troops with stones and burnt two police motorbikes. One protester was killed, and three demonstrators and eight police officers were hurt, it added.
The junta said today it was showing restraint in dealing with the biggest uprising against military rule in nearly 20 years, a diplomat said.
Rangoon-based diplomats called to a meeting with a deputy foreign minister in Burma's new capital, Naypyidaw, were told "'the government was committed to showing restraint in its response to the provocations', as he called them", the diplomat said.
The minister blamed the protests, which began in mid-August with sporadic civilian marches against shock increases in fuel prices, on "internal and external destructive elements", the diplomat said.
International outrage at yesterday's use of warning shots, tear gas and baton charges against monks and unarmed civilians has fuelled calls for tougher sanctions against the former Burma, ruled by the military since 1962.
Monks said five of their ranks were killed yesterday.
"He said they were clearly being misunderstood and that's why they were holding this meeting."