UN envoy to return to Myanmar to help national reconciliation process

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy for Myanmar is scheduled to travel next week to the country in his latest bid to help facilitate the national reconciliation process, a UN spokesman announced today.

Razali Ismail is scheduled to visit Yangon from 12 to 16 November for his ninth mission as Special Envoy. Mr. Razali has requested meetings with Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), General Maung Aye, Vice Chairman of SPDC, General Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the SPDC, and other government leaders during his stay in the capital.

The Special Envoy is slated to also meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), as well as representatives of ethnic nationality groups.

In a recent report to the General Assembly, the Secretary-General voiced concern that the positive momentum generated for the on-going national reconciliation process in Myanmar since the restoration of Ms. Suu Kyi's freedom of movement on 6 May could dissipate unless some tangible progress is made in the near future.

"In this context, the Secretary-General attaches importance to Mr. Razali's upcoming mission, and in particular his discussion with Senior General Than Shwe," the spokesman said.