UN discusses democracy and reconciliation with Myanmar officials

(eTN) Continuing his latest mission to promote democratization and national reconciliation in Myanmar, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser last week met with senior government ministers in Yangon.

Ibrahim Gambari met with U Soe Tha, minister for National Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Kyaw Myint, minister for Health, Dr. Than Nyun, chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board and U Kyaw Thu, deputy foreign minister, according to a statement released by the UN.

The talks, which took place at the National Defense College Guest House, follow Mr. Gambari’s meeting with detained opposition leader and Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her party, the National League for Democracy.

Ms. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for over four years, and has spent more than 11 years in detention since the NLD and its allies won the 1990 election with over 80 per cent of the parliamentary seats.

In February, the Myanmar authorities announced the holding of a constitutional referendum this May, to be followed by “multi-party democratic elections” in 2010.

Mr. Gambari has also met with other senior government officials, as well as the UN Country Team, the diplomatic corps, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and representatives of several political groups during his latest visit, the third to the country since the Government’s crackdown on peaceful protesters last summer.

Source: United Nations