YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's government has formally apologized to the country's Buddhist monks for its recent crackdown on protesters at a copper mine that injured more than 100 of their monastic colleagues.
    
President's Office Minister Hla Tun led other officials Saturday in apologizing to senior and injured monks in the central city of Mandalay.
    
Police used water cannons, tear gas and smoke bombs on Nov. 29 to break up an occupation of the Letpadaung mine project in northwestern Myanmar, a joint venture between the military and a Chinese company. Protesters want the project halted, saying it is causing environmental, social and health problems.
    
Shin Wirathu, one of those leading the protests, said Saturday's action satisfied their demands for a formal apology.

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