Mon Oct 1, 9:38 PM ET

UNITED NATIONS - Myanmar's foreign minister on Monday accused elements inside and outside the country of trying to derail its move toward democracy and defended the crackdown on an "unruly and provocative" mob as essential to restore order.

"Normalcy has now returned in Myanmar," Foreign Minister U Nyan Win told the U.N. General Assembly's ministerial meeting.

Protests against Myanmar's government ignited in August over fuel prices hikes, but public anger ballooned into mass demonstrations led by Buddhist monks against 45 years of military dictatorship. Soldiers responded last week by shooting at unarmed demonstrators. On Monday, the main city of Yangon was quiet and security forces lightened their presence.

Win accused "neo-colonialists" — a clear reference to the United States, Britain and other Western nations — of conducting a concerted campaign against Myanmar by imposing economic sanctions and spreading disinformation that the government is committing gross human rights violations.

Such campaigns, Win said, eventually culminate in the invasion of countries and overthrow of governments.

"Recent events make clear that there are elements within and outside the country who wish to derail the ongoing process (toward democracy) so that they can take advantage of the chaos that would follow," Win said.

Win made no mention of the deaths or injuries in the crackdown against the pro-democracy demonstrators by the country's security forces. Dissident groups say up to 200 protesters were slain, compared to the regime's report of 10 deaths, and 6,000 detained.

Win said "cooperation with the United Nations is a cornerstone of Myamar's foreign policy," citing his government's decision to allow U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari to visit this week.

He insisted Myamar was advancing on the path to democracy, citing plans for a new constitution. Critics call the process a sham because the junta hand-picked most delegates to a national convention that drew up guidelines for the new constitution and has barred the opposition.

"The Myanmar government is fully aware of its responsibility to lead the nation in the process of transformation to a disciplined democracy," Win said. "We have laid down a road map and will work conscientiously to achieve our goals."