Quintana did not meet Zargarnar says UN

by Solomon

Thursday, 19 February 2009 21:56

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The United Nations office in Rangoon has denied that visiting UN human rights expert Quintana met detained popular comedian Zargarnar on Wednesday. Earlier, a prison official in Myitkyina and a relative of Zargarnar told Mizzima that the UN envoy had visited the Myitkyina prison in Kachin state, and met Zargarnar late on Wednesday evening. Zargarnar's relative, who did not wish to be named said, she was informed by a source, who monitored the prison in Myitkyina. However, she admits that it was not confirmed. Meanwhile, Aye Win, the UN spokesperson in Rangoon, said, "Quintana did not visit Kachin state and did not meet Zargarnar. He was in Naypyitaw on Wednesday and Thursday." Quintana, on Thursday, met diplomats and held a press conference in Rangoon before leaving the country, Aye Win said. According to the United Nations, the envoy, during his trip, was supposed to meet government officials, as well as visit Karen, Kachin and Arakan states. However, the envoy, who wound up his six-day visit on Thursday, failed to visit Kachin state in Northern Burma and Arakan state in western Burma. < Prev   Next >