Myanmar: UN envoy encourages parties to move to 'substantive' talks
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s envoy for Myanmar has concluded his mission to the country after encouraging both the Government and opposition leaders to develop their talks “as soon as possible” into a substantive dialogue, a UN spokesman in New York said today.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's envoy for Myanmar has concluded his mission to the country after encouraging both the Government and opposition leaders to develop their talks "as soon as possible" into a substantive dialogue, a UN spokesman in New York said today.
Special Envoy Razali Ismail also urged the Government to continue to release political prisoners, in particular the 19 MPs still detained, to create a political climate conducive to advancing the dialogue, spokesman Fred Eckhard said.
During Mr. Razali's weeklong visit, he met separately with leaders of the Government and the National League for Democracy (NLD), including Lt.-Gen. Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), and NLD General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. He also met with several ethnic nationalities leaders and travelled to the Wa and Kokan areas in Shan State, the spokesman said.
"Mr. Razali was pleased that all parties remain committed to the process of national reconciliation and democracy," Mr. Eckhard said. "He is hopeful that some significant progress could be achieved in the near future."