Ban Ki-moon welcomes Myanmar’s decision to receive UN envoy

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that he is pleased that the Government of Myanmar has agreed to a visit by his Special Envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, who has been dispatched to the region in response to the deteriorating situation in the country.

Mr. Ban, in a statement released by his spokesperson, called on the authorities to engage in a constructive dialogue with Mr. Gambari, who will begin his visit on 29 September, and “to commit to a path of peaceful and inclusive national reconciliation.”

Myanmar has recently witnessed a wave of peaceful demonstrations, which began last month in protest against a surge in fuel prices and more recently have included many of the country’s monks.

Noting reports of the use of force and of arrests and beatings, Mr. Ban has repeatedly urged Myanmar’s authorities to respond to the protests with the utmost restraint.

His calls have been echoed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and members of the UN Security Council.