United Nations

SECRETARY-GENERAL REITERATES CALL
FOR RECONCILIATION IN MYANMR

NEW YORK, 9 January (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Mr. Razali Ismail, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Myanmar, concluded his five-day mission to Myanmar today.

During his stay in Yangon, he held talks with representatives of the Government, including Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, and Foreign Minister Win Aung.

Mr. Rizali also held two meetings with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. His meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was the first contact by an outside visitor in nearly three months.

The Secretary-General was encouraged to learn that during his mission Mr. Razali was able to confirm that the two sides had started a direct dialogue since last October and that they were satisfied with the results achieved so far in the area of confidence-building. The two sides are expected to start more substantive discussions shortly.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the two sides to seize the momentum and work to achieve national reconciliation in Myanmar at an early date. He also appeals to the international community to continue to support the ongoing process of dialogue.