UN envoy continues Myanmar visit, still hopeful of meeting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

The United Nations special envoy for Myanmar continued his mission to the capital, Yangon, today, holding talks with a senior government official and holding out the possibility of meeting with democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy, Razali Ismail, met for the first time today with the Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Gen. Maung Aye, according to a UN spokesman in New York.

Since his arrival on 6 June, Mr. Razali has met top Foreign Ministry officials, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of ethnic minority political parties and the UN country team. He also met with Secretary-One of the SPDC, Gen. Khin Nyunt, on Saturday.

"The further continuation of the mission is dependent on the judgment of the Special Envoy," said spokesman Fred Eckhard. "He is scheduled to depart on Tuesday."

Asked whether Mr. Razali would meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the spokesman noted the Envoy's stated intention to meet with her, "which he clearly hopes will happen."