Mizzima News

Chiang Mai  (Mizzima) - Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General, ahead of his visit to Burma, on Tuesday reiterated his call to the military junta to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and to initiate a dialogue between the government and the opposition.

Ban, on a five country tour, told journalists in Japan that he would use his visit to Burma to try to “raise in the strongest possible terms” the concerns of the international community about the situation inside Burma.

He reiterated that Burma’s military regime should release all political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, immediately, resume dialogue between the government and opposition leaders, and create a political ambience and a legal framework conducive to holding of credible elections in 2010.

“This is the commitment, concern and aspiration of the international community. I am going to convey this strongly to Senior General Than Shwe and other leaders,” said Ban, adding that he also expects to have talks with grassroots groups during his visit.

Ban, who last visited Burma in May 2008 in the wake of the deadly Cyclone Nargis, said he is aware that his visit coincides with the trial of Burma’s democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and he plans to use his trip to “raise in the strongest possible terms” the concerns of the international community about the situation inside Burma.

“It may be the case that the trial may happen during my visit to Myanmar [Burma]. I am very much conscious of that. At the same time, to find the most appropriate timing has been a challenge for me, too,” Ban said.

Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is currently facing a trial under charges of violating her detention terms by ‘harbouring’ an American man, John William Yettaw, who sneaked into her lakeside house in early May.

The world leader, who on Tuesday began his visit to Japan, will be on a two-day visit to Burma on Friday and Saturday. His decision to visit the country came after his special envoy Ibrahim Gambari’s visit to Burma last week.

Gambari, who is mandated to facilitate national reconciliation in Burma, has visited the country eight times. Critics and opposition activists have said he has not been able to achieve his main task.