In Myanmar, UN envoy holds meetings to help national reconciliation talks

Secretary-General Kofi Annan's envoy for Myanmar completed today his visit to the country after holding high-level meetings aimed at facilitating progress in democratization and national reconciliation talks between the Government and the National League for Democracy.

Special Envoy Razali Ismail had "important" discussions in Yangon with Lt.-Gen. Khin Nyunt, Secretary 1 of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), and other government officials, Mr. Annan's spokesman said today in New York. During the four-day visit, Mr. Razali also met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy.

Spokesman Fred Eckhard said it was the Secretary-General's hope that his Special Envoy's visit and the Yangon discussions would contribute towards progress in the talks. Mr. Annan considered such timely visits to Myanmar as an important function in discharging the good offices mandate he had been given by the General Assembly, the spokesman said.