Myanmar: UN opens first high-level talks in 2 years with Government on democracy

A senior United Nations official today began the first high-level talks in more than two years between the world body and the Government of Myanmar, bearing a clear message about the need to restore democracy and full human rights in the South Asian country.

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari met with Foreign Minister U Nyan Win and other senior officials shortly after his arrival at the start of a three-day visit during which he will also confer with Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council.

“Under-Secretary-General Gambari is in Myanmar to convey a clear message that the country’s prospects for improved relations with the international community will depend on tangible progress in restoring democratic freedoms and full respect for human rights,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York.

Mr. Gambari will also meet with representatives of political parties, in particular the National League for Democracy (NLD), and he has asked to see NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest.

On Tuesday, Mr. Dujarric said Secretary-General Kofi Annan saw the mission as “an overdue and potentially important opportunity to assess developments in the country firsthand and to see what more can be done, including by the United Nations, to help Myanmar move in the direction of all-inclusive democracy, sustainable development and true national reconciliation.”

Over the past several years Mr. Annan has been pushing the Government to move towards democratic rule by releasing all detainees, including democracy leader Ms. Suu Kyi.