UN envoy says his last Burma visit has not yet displayed tangible results

by Mungpi

Saturday, 21 February 2009 16:48

New Delhi (Mizzima) - United Nations special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, on Friday told the Security Council that his latest visit to military-ruled Burma, had so far not yielded any concrete results. Gambari, who last visited Burma from January 31 to February 3, told the 15 member council during a closed-door meeting on Friday, that he had urged the Burmese Government to prove their commitment to implement changes in the country, but so far had failed to see any result. "I informed the Council that, so far, we have not seen any tangible outcome of my visit," the Secretary-General's Special Adviser told reporters after a closed-door meeting on Friday. Gambari said, he had told the Burmese junta that he was not endorsing the junta's proposed elections in 2010, but urged the government to resume dialogue with detained opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and to release political prisoners. "Our position has not changed. We are not advocating elections in 2010 or any time. It is up to the Government and people of Myanmar [Burma] to decide, but we continue to advocate conditions that are conducive to free and fair elections, when they do take place," Gambari told reporters. During his last visit, the UN envoy was able to meet Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein, detained opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and central executive committee members of her party – National League for Democracy. However, Burma's military supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe refused to meet the UN envoy. Like Gambari, the NLD said his recent visit had not brought about any significant change, but said they appreciated the UN's efforts in trying to facilitate a process of national reconciliation. Nyan Win, spokesperson of the NLD, earlier told Mizzima, "We have not seen any results emerge from Gambari's visit, but would like him and the UN to continue their efforts." On Friday, the Burmese junta announced that it would release over 6,000 prisoners, who had shown good conduct and discipline, from prisons across the country. Gambari, in the press briefing, said he welcomed the announcement but would like to see if those released would include political prisoners. "At the same time, I believe it is fair to welcome the release of prisoners, particularly political prisoners," Gambari said. < Prev   Next >