UN envoy invited to Myanmar

KUALA LUMPUR – UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari said yesterday he has been invited to make another visit to military-run Myanmar next month, following the junta’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

“I have confirmed an invitation to Myanmar, to visit by the third week of November. And I intend to honour that invitation.But there is a possibility of going earlier,” he told a press conference.Gambari did not say who he would meet with during his trip, but indicated that a meeting with the regime’s leader Senior General Than Shwe would be a top priority.”It is important to meet the Senior General as it gives an authoritative response to any of the queries made,” he said.Gambari visited Myanmar last month to convey international outrage over the regime’s violent crackdown on peaceful anti-government rallies, which left at least 13 people dead.He is currently on an Asian tour aimed at increasing pressure on the ruling junta to halt its crackdown, release political detainees and launch talks with the pro-democracy opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi.Asked what his goals would be during the November mission, he said he would focus on “how best to …accelerate the democratic process and respect for human rights”.He also called on the regime to grant the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) access to those detained and injured during the crackdown.”We would like those who are detained to be released, for access by the ICRC to those detained, and to those who are wounded as a result of the recent events, to have access to medical treatment,” he said.The envoy stressed the importance of establishing a dialogue between the military regime and Aung San Suu Kyi.”There is no dialogue,” he said.”Efforts should be made to remove that obstacle.It is important to start that dialogue without any delay.It is the only way to address the challenges.”Nampa-AFPAnd I intend to honour that invitation.But there is a possibility of going earlier,” he told a press conference.Gambari did not say who he would meet with during his trip, but indicated that a meeting with the regime’s leader Senior General Than Shwe would be a top priority.”It is important to meet the Senior General as it gives an authoritative response to any of the queries made,” he said.Gambari visited Myanmar last month to convey international outrage over the regime’s violent crackdown on peaceful anti-government rallies, which left at least 13 people dead.He is currently on an Asian tour aimed at increasing pressure on the ruling junta to halt its crackdown, release political detainees and launch talks with the pro-democracy opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi.Asked what his goals would be during the November mission, he said he would focus on “how best to …accelerate the democratic process and respect for human rights”.He also called on the regime to grant the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) access to those detained and injured during the crackdown.”We would like those who are detained to be released, for access by the ICRC to those detained, and to those who are wounded as a result of the recent events, to have access to medical treatment,” he said.The envoy stressed the importance of establishing a dialogue between the military regime and Aung San Suu Kyi.”There is no dialogue,” he said.”Efforts should be made to remove that obstacle.It is important to start that dialogue without any delay.It is the only way to address the challenges.”Nampa-AFP