WORLD : Myanmar Troops Fire on Protest

BANGKOK, Thailand —  Security forces in Myanmar (formerly Burma) opened fire today on a peaceful dawn march led by Buddhist monks in Mandalay, killing at least four people, Western diplomats in Yangon (formerly Rangoon), said.

Diplomats quoted witnesses as saying 5,000 people took part in the march, which marked the second anniversary of huge protests against the military government and reflected growing tension over the delay in a transfer to civilian rule.

One diplomat, contacted by telephone from Bangkok, said two monks and two students were shot to death and one monk and one student were injured. Another said up to seven monks may have been killed.