Meeting Myanmar groups, UN’s top political officer discusses political process, aid

Continuing his four-day visit to Myanmar, the top United Nations political officer today discussed transparency and the need to open up the political process to all the country’s people, in meetings with representatives from various ethnic and other groups taking part in the National Convention.

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari also told representatives from ethnic groups that the UN stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance to all regions of Myanmar, a spokesman told reporters in New York.

“In the course of his discussions, Mr. Gambari stressed the need for a more inclusive and transparent political process in Myanmar, one in which all of Myanmar’s people can find their voices, including those groups not represented at the Convention,” said spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Mr. Gambari arrived in Myanmar yesterday and met with Government ministers for talks in which he emphasized the need for progress, including the release of political prisoners. During his first visit to the country in May he spoke with a cross-section of officials, including the most prominent democracy advocate, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for 10 of the past 16 years. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has repeatedly called for her release.