Burmese security forces blocked off a sprawling section of Rangoon today for a government-orchestrated mass rally in support of the military regime, amid growing pressure on the junta to negotiate with the pro-democracy opposition.

Burma’s ruling military lashed out at Western powers and foreign media today for fomenting recent protests that were put down in a brutal crackdown.

Burma’s military authorities arrested dissidents in raids today even as they responded to international pressure with apparent moves toward talks with their archenemy, democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, an exile group said.