UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari left New York for Burma on Wednesday for talks with the Burmese regime and to prepare the ground for a possible visit by UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon early next month.
However, UN officials made no formal statement on Gambari’s trip or the possibility of a visit by Ban, apparently fearful the Burmese regime could still cancel the invitation it has issued to the UN chief.
Informed sources told The Irrawaddy much depends on Gambari’s talks with the junta as to whether and when Ban visits Burma. Officials say Ban is keen to visit Burma as soon as possible and attempt to persuade junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe to release Aung San Suu Kyi and take steps towards establishing democracy.
Ban told the Associated Press on Tuesday that he was looking at the "appropriate timing" for a visit.
"I'm concerned about what (the) Myanmar [Burmese] government has done against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," Ban told AP. "I have strongly urged them to drop all the charges against her and release all the political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
"She is and can be a very important partner for dialogue for the authorities of the Myanmar [Burma] government. Therefore, whenever I'm ready I'm going to visit and discuss this matter directly in person with Snr-Gen Than Shwe and other leaders.”
Ban added: “"I'm now evaluating all the possible situations. I have not yet made my decision, but I may have to make (a) decision soon."
irrawaddy
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