"We are aware of possible missile launches by North Korea and are closely monitoring North Korea's activities and intentions," said U.S State Department spokesman Karl Duckworth. "North Korea should refrain from actions that aggravate tensions and focus on denuclearization talks." North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles Saturday, South Korea's Defense Ministry said, in an act of defiance that further raised regional tensions already high because of Pyongyang's May 25 nuclear test. (Adds quotes, background, details, paragraphs 4-9) WASHINGTON, July 4 (Reuters) - The United States urged North Korea on Saturday not to "aggravate tensions" but did not confirm whether Pyongyang had launched a series of missiles. The eternally polite hotel workers took care of us.They gathered up leftovers from a buffet prepared for some of the security officials -- fried noodles and vegetables, spicy sour soup, dried fish and fried rice.After a delicious dinner, I took the opportunity to update my Facebook status with the words: "Lou Charbonneau is in Naypyidaw, the surreal and brand-spanking-new capital of Myanmar, better known as Burma."I'd like to think that was a first for Naypyidaw.(Editing by Valerie Lee) North Korea. I was trying to photograph Ban as he entered the meeting with Than Shwe when a uniformed military official grabbed me by my backpack and threw me roughly back toward a chair.They pushed us around constantly until we were out of sight of the 76-year-old Than Shwe.Back at the Naypyidaw hotel, our hosts had forgotten to arrange for food for the reporters. Named after an 18th century king, Bayint Naung Yeiktha, it is where Ban met with Than Shwe and other leaders of the junta.Surrounded by rolling hills and jungle vegetation, the building is circumscribed by a high-security fence that would not be easy to climb.Inside the hall, there was an ornate waterfall fountain in which massive goldfish rise up and spout water against a mountainside.Journalists received rough treatment at the hands of the military police and security officials. officials explained, is an extensive network of tunnels designed by engineers from North Korea, a country with a communist government that rivals Myanmar in its secrecy.The most impressive building we saw was the junta's new palatial reception hall.
But it is too far from the sea to make it a proper resort.In fact, Naypyidaw is a virtual fortress where the reclusive military rulers of the former Burma have isolated themselves, some 320 km (200 miles) away from the mass demonstrations that occasionally erupt in the country's largest city, Yangon.I was one of a small group of journalists who had the rare privilege of spending the night in Naypyidaw, where foreigners are banned unless they are invited there on official business.As members of a U.N. delegation to Naypyidaw, the new capital of Myanmar.By Louis CharbonneauNAYPYIDAW, Myanmar (Reuters) - A green and yellow sign greeted us in English and Burmese with the words: "Welcome to Naypyitaw." Someone in our bus quipped that it should have read: "Welcome to the Dictators' Disneyland."Myanmar's remote new capital, Naypyidaw, looks more like a seaside resort-in-progress than a city. North KoreaIn the following story Lou writes about his experience travelling with a U.N. correspondent for Reuters, joined the company in Vienna in 2001, where he was a beat reporter covering the U.N International Atomic Energy Agency. He has traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East during his nearly two-decade career as a journalist.
Sudan accuses Western media of exaggerating the violence.(Editing by Charles Dick) World. Louis Charbonneau, U.N. Most Africans believe it is a court that has been set up against Africa and the third world. (The African Union decision) makes us feel that we are not alone, that people are supporting us."AMNESTY CRITICISMBashir did not attend the inauguration of South African President Jacob Zuma in May, amid reports Pretoria had warned Khartoum that the Sudanese leader could be arrested.Al-Sadig said there would now be no obstacles to a visit."Maybe at one point, the new South African government expressed some negative views ... KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan said on Saturday its president was free to travel across Africa after heads of state of the African Union voted not to cooperate with the International Criminal Court's indictment of him.
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