By Paul Eckert, Asia Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Myanmar's ruling junta is sensitive to world opinion despite its isolationism, an exiled opposition leader said on Wednesday, urging more international financial and political pressure to change the former Burma.

"The international pressure does mean something to the regime. They are really worried about it," said Maung Maung, Thailand-based secretary general of the exiled opposition National Council of the Union of Burma.

"Why would they let Gambari in right away if they did not care about the outside world?" he asked, referring to U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who will visit Myanmar from Nov. 3-8 on a second mission to the Southeast Asian country.

Buddhist monks in Myanmar staged on Wednesday their first protest march since troops crushed a pro-democracy uprising last month.

Speaking on the eve of his appearance before a U.S. Congress human rights panel, Maung Maung said the world must not settle for periodic visits by Gambari.

"There needs to be an office that is mandated by (U.N.) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that can monitor events every day," he told Reuters.

A U.N. presence could stop atrocities and keep the junta from backing away from political dialogue with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Maung Maung added.

Myanmar state media say 10 people, including a Japanese video journalist, were killed when soldiers were sent in to clear the streets of Yangon and other cities, although Western governments said the real toll was likely far higher.

Maung Maung said his group estimated the toll from last month's crackdown at 40 dead, but was investigating reports of many instant cremations of victims.

The former geologist and miners union organizer, who fled Myanmar after the junta crushed a democracy movement in 1988, dismissed suggestions that Western backing for Myanmar's democrats stopped at rhetorical and moral support.

"The support has had an effect on the regime," he said, pointing to moves by Singapore banks to curb some dealings with junta-owned businesses after U.S. President George W. Bush drew up sanctions against Myanmar generals, families and firms.

"We're calling for action to be taken on oil and energy companies that are working in Burma, so that the money that goes to the regime is blocked," said Maung Maung. "If we can have actions that stop the money we will see results."

Foreign tourists should also avoid supporting the junta, he said, a policy that has been backed by Suu Kyi.

"You can wait and you can have your visit later when things change," he said.

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