Saturday, June 27, 2009

Gambari Arrives in Burma

UN Special Envoy to Burma Ibrahim Gambari has arrived in Burma and will return to UN headquarters promptly to brief Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon before he leaves New York for Japan on Monday, a UN spokesman said on Thursday.

Officials said Gambari’s visit is intended to pave the way for a follow-up visit by Ban, anticipated for sometime next week.

A UN official confirmed the envoy arrived Friday morning in Rangoon, the commercial capital, and was scheduled to travel later in the day to the remote capital of Naypyidaw to meet with the government’s military leaders.

Informed sources told The Irrawaddy much depends on Gambari’s talks with the junta as to whether and when Ban visits Burma

The visit is likely to be politically delicate coming during the contentious trial of opposition pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is facing a possible five-year extension of her 13 years under house arrest.

Meanwhile, the Obama Administration has approved an additional $10 million in humanitarian aid for the survivors affected by Cyclone Nargis last year. The aid will be distributed to individuals and communities.

irrawaddy

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