Protesters continue to defy Burmese junta

Burmese soldiers have charged at chanting protesters as tensions rise in Rangoon following the deaths of at least ten people.

Shots were fired in the air, sending people scurrying for cover down side alleys, a witness said, as hundreds taunted soldiers sealing off the area around the Sule Pagoda in Rangoon.

On Thursday, soldiers opened fire on tens of thousands of people marching through the streets of the former capital demanding an end to military rule.

State television reported that ten people had died but Australia's ambassador to Burma, Bob Davis, has said the number is much higher.

According to Mr Davis, witnesses told some of his colleagues that they saw many corpses being carried away from the centre of the city than those reported by the regime.

Asked for an unofficial estimate, he said: "Several multiples of the ten acknowledged by the authorities".

Pro-democracy campaigners have pledged to "strike back" against the junta despite indications the country's leaders may respond to growing international pressure and have agreed to talk to a UN special envoy.

Elsewhere, Japan is deciding whether to suspend humanitarian aid to the country after investigating the killing of Kenji Nagai, 50, who worked for a Tokyo news agency.

The crisis began on August 19 with protests over a fuel price hike, but has been swelled by pent-up opposition to years of harsh military rule.

Led by thousands of Buddhist monks in maroon robes, the Burmese protesters have been demanding the release of political activists and economic reforms in the impoverished nation.

Ko Aung, who is leading protests outside the Burmese Embassy in London, said his sources in the former capital, Rangoon, have told him of their determination to continue their protests.

He said: "Many people have been killed, but people are prepared to sacrifice their lives for what they believe.

"They are not going to stop going to the streets. They have no choice but to go on the streets and challenge the military rule."

On Thursday night, US President George Bush urged all nations with influence in Burma to support the aspirations of the Burmese people and to call for an end to the violence.

He said: "The world is watching the people of Burma take to the streets to demand their freedom, and the American people stand in solidarity with these brave individuals.

"We feel admiration and compassion for the monks and peaceful protesters calling for democracy.

"Every civilised nation has a responsibility to stand up for people suffering under a brutal military regime like the one that has ruled Burma for too long.

"I call on all nations that have influence with the regime to join us in supporting the aspirations of the Burmese people and to tell the Burmese junta to cease using force on its own people, who are peacefully expressing their desire for change."

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