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“The high risk of a crackdown against the demonstrators makes it imperative for the international community to act urgently,” said Amnesty secretary general Irene Khan.

Human Rights Watch called on Myanmar’s allies, including China, Thailand, Russia and India, to put pressure on the regime.

“If the military government is going to listen to anyone, it will be countries with which it has close military and economic ties," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Now is the time for these countries to show that they care about the health and welfare of the Burmese people.”

But Burma's neighbours disapproved of sanctions or other precipitate action. Syed Hamid Albar, the Foreign Minister of Malaysia, a member of the 10-strong Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said sanctions would not affect the military junta but usually hurt ordinary citizens more.

“Any hard or aggressive action would be counter-productive at this stage. We think the best way of resolving the issue is to get the constitutional process on track, to get the reconciliation going."

Alexander Downer, Australia’s Foreign Minister, said his country would not follow the US move in imposing economic sanctions because they “would have absolutely no impact."

Masahiko Komura, the Foreign Minister of Japan, which - unlike western nations - continues to send humanitarian aid to Myanmar, said: “The Japanese government is currently encouraging the Myanmar government to take a calm response."

By contrast the Russian foreign ministry suggested that it was not minded to intervene, saying that violence on the streets of Rangoon was an "internal matter".

Among the babble of world opinion on Burma, China - probably the most important outside player in the drama - is unusual in remaining largely silent on the subject.

Diplomats say however that Beijing has quietly shifted its stance towards the junta, from its publicly stated desire not to interfere in the internal affairs of another state to more actively offering advice.

Tang Jiaxuan, a senior Chinese diplomat, has urged Myanmar to push forward with a “democracy process that is appropriate for the country”.

Beijing's long term vision appears to include a transition to a more democratic future, as it has for several years been staying in touch with the Burmese opposition. But the contacts have so far been at a low level, and have been publicly denied.

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