Foreign Minister Shimon Peres expressed concern Thursday over the fate of Israelis in Burma, where clashes between security forces and anti-government demonstrators have left as many as 100 dead since Wednesday. Martial law has been in force in the country for a week.
“We will take defensive steps to protect Israelis there,” the foreign minister said in a radio interview. He did not specify how many Israelis were in the country.
Peres added that he felt sadness over the current situation in Burma, a country he described as “a very friendly nation for many years.
“I am personally acquainted with (Burmese President) Gen. U Sein Lwin, who has visited Israel twice,” Peres continued. “I don’t understand what’s gone wrong in Burma, but one thing is sure,” he said, “and that is that we will take care of our people there.”
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