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General Assembly President comments on Gambari briefing |
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by Mizzima News
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Friday, 05 September 2008 15:21 |
Nearly two weeks after leaving Burma, the United Nations Special Envoy to Burma met with the President of the body's General Assembly to brief him as to the results of his latest diplomatic initiatives.
In a statement released after Wednesday's meeting, Assembly President Srgjan Kerim emphasized "the need for continued engagement and strong commitment from all parties to continue the process of national reconciliation, pointing out that such engagement must be serious and credible with the aim to lead to concrete results as envisaged by the relevant General Assembly resolutions."
Kerim's view comes as debate continues as to whether or not Gambari's continued involvement in Burmese affairs is productive or not – especially since he failed to meet with either Senior General Than Shwe or opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his recent foray.
Though acknowledging discussions with Gambari on the subject, when asked by local media in New York to expand upon the reason for Aung San Suu Kyi's refusal to meet with the Special Envoy, Kerim declined to comment.
According to sources close to the opposition leader, her act of denying Gambari a sitting was meant to convey her displeasure at the pace and accomplishments of his mission.
The United Nations has thus far maintained that the endeavors of Mr. Gambari should be viewed as a "process." To this effect, Kerim vowed that the Special Envoy enjoys his approval, stating "continuous support for the Secretary-General's good offices and for Mr. Gambari's efforts on behalf of the Secretary-General."
However, several opposition voices to Burma's ruling junta, most notably the National League for Democracy, have already given notice that they view the continued efforts of Gambari as a worthless exercise that merely serves to add an aura of legitimacy to a unilateral political roadmap.
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