FOLLOWING MEETINGS IN MYANMAR, SECRETARY-GENERAL’S SPECIAL ENVOY STRESSES NEED FOR ALL PARTIES TO TURN OVER NEW PAGE

FOLLOWING MEETINGS IN MYANMAR, SECRETARY-GENERAL’S SPECIAL ENVOY

STRESSES NEED FOR ALL PARTIES TO TURN OVER NEW PAGE

Following is a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Razali Ismail, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, visited Myanmar from 1 to 4 March to continue his efforts to facilitate national reconciliation and democratization based on the participation of all parties concerned in the country’s process for a democratic transition.

Mr. Razali had discussions with government officials, including Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and Foreign Minister Win Aung.  He also met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), as well as representatives of various ethnic nationality groups.

During these meetings, the Special Envoy emphasized the need for all the parties, in the name of the people of Myanmar, to turn over a new page so as to make the democratic transitional process all-inclusive and credible.  In this context, he was encouraged by the expressions of commitment of the Prime Minister to implement, in an all-inclusive manner, the Government’s seven-step roadmap, starting with the reconvening of the National Convention.

During Mr. Razali’s discussion with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, she indicated that she and her colleagues from the NLD’s Central Executive Committee should be released and allowed to resume political activities, and for the offices of the NLD to be reopened.  Despite the unfortunate events of Depeyin on 30 May 2003, she also indicated her willingness to work for a “harmonized” relationship with Prime Minister Khin Nyunt’s Government in order to move process ahead.

* *** *