PRESS CONFERENCE ON MYANMAR BY Under-Secretary-General FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Following the first high-level talks between the United Nations and Myanmar in more than two years, the United Nations was in a better position to allow that country to move in the direction of an all-inclusive democracy, sustainable development, full respect for human rights and national reconciliation, Ibrahim Gambari, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference today.

Describing his three-day visit to Myanmar, from 18 to 20 May, Mr. Gambari said he and his colleagues had gone to Myanmar as emissaries of the Secretary-General in the context of his good offices role.  A number of Security Council members had welcomed the visit.  He had visited the country, however, under the Secretary-General’s mandate by the General Assembly to continue to provide his good offices and to pursue discussions with authorities on human rights and the restoration of democracy with the Government and people of Myanmar, including all relevant parties to the national reconciliation process in that country.

After more than two years in which the United Nations had not been able to engage on such issues, he said the main objective of his visit was to assess the situation first hand in order to examine what more could be done, including by the United Nations, to help Myanmar move in the direction of an all inclusive democracy and national reconciliation.  In his discussions in the country, he had stressed the need to turn a new page in the relationship between the United Nations and Myanmar, as well as the need to maintain constructive dialogue in addressing the many challenges facing the country.

In that context, he had been able to carry out a broad range of meetings, he said.  He had been able to see the country's Head of State, Senior General Than Shwe, as well as other senior Government officials, including the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Planning, the Minister of Science, Technology and Labour and the Minister of Agriculture. 

He had also been able to meet for nearly an hour with Aung San Suu Kyi, he added.  He had held a separate meeting with the members of her party -- the National League for Democracy -- as well as members of the United Nations country team.  He had also had a useful exchange of views with the diplomatic community based in Myanmar and had visited the new seat of Government in Nay Pyi Daw.

He said he had carried with him some very clear messages, including a written formal letter from the Secretary-General to the Senior General, which concerned, in particular, progress on human rights and democratization so that Myanmar could improve its relationship with the international community.  There were a number of other closely related messages, including that the Secretary-General was committed to providing his good offices to help facilitate Myanmar’s transition to democracy, and the need for a more inclusive and credible political process, so that all political parities, their leaders, and ethnic nationalities could be represented and the restrictions on them lifted.

He had also carried with him the message that Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders should be released and that the United Nations was concerned about the recent escalation in the military offensive in Kayin State, he added.

Continuing, he said he had also urged the Government to collaborate fully with United Nations agencies to address such issues as HIV/AIDS, drug trafficking, displaced persons and child soldiers.  He had also said that the United Nations needed guarantees for the safety and unhindered access in order to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need in Myanmar.  To the extent those steps were taken, the easier it would be for Myanmar to enjoy good relations with the international community.

On his meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, he said that she appeared quite well.  He had asked her whether she was well and, not being a doctor, whether he could say that she was well.  She had said “yes” to both.  She would, of course, like visits by her doctor to be more predictable and regular, and for medical assistance to be provided to her companion.  She was a very determined and principled woman, who believed that she and her party had a contribution to make to the country’s development.  He assured her that that he agreed with her and that he would encourage the authorities to provide opportunities to take part constructively in the political process.  She had expressed confidence in the United Nations and the hope that the Secretary-General and the United Nations country team would be allowed to play a helpful role.

Describing some of the results of the visit, he said it had been important to re-engage with Myanmar in that way and to draw attention to the different situation in the country that was of concern and interest to the international community.  After all, the United Nations had not been able to play that role for a couple of years. 

On the humanitarian front, beyond the headlines, he said there was now a basis for follow up discussions led by the country team, which could lead to improved access and guarantees to allow the international community do more to help Myanmar.  He believed the country team was now in a better position to engage with the authorities than previously.

On the political front, while time would be needed, there was agreement by the authorities, endorsed by the National League for Democracy, for the United Nations to play a role in promoting common ground between the Government and the National League for Democracy so that the National Convention could resume in a more inclusive way.   That Convention would not resume until October.

Asked whether he had received any indication that the Government might release Aung San Suu Kyi and whether he had asked directly for her release, Mr. Gambari said he had asked the Government to release her, as well other persons detained for political reasons.  He could not give a sense of whether that would be done, but he certainly hoped she would be released.

While he could not go into details of the conversation, the point had been made that she had been released before, he said.  If they were to release her, it would not be the first time they had done so.  However, the Chief of Police had made a statement that might be significant, namely that the release of Aung San Suu Kyi would not lead to political instability in the country.

Noting that many had been surprised by Mr. Gambari’s access to Aung San Suu Kyi, a correspondent asked what had changed so that the Government had allowed him to meet with her. 

He had received access because he had asked for it, he responded.  His request had not been a surprise.  He had also received a lot of help, but he was not at liberty to disclose from where.  Other factors included the fact that the Secretary-General had decided to send his Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs there, the blessing of some Security Council members -- although it was not a Council mission -- and the appearance that Myanmar was willing to turn a new page in its relationship with the international community.  That was all conjecture, however.  The fact was that he had asked for access, he had received a lot of help and it did happen.

Regarding the statement by Myanmar’s Chief of Police, he said he could only guess that it could be one of two things, namely that she was losing support in the country or that it was a way of preparing the ground if they were to decide to release her.

He had also said he sought the release of other detained persons for political reasons, he added in response to another question.  The headlines had focused on Aung San Suu Kyi -- for good reason -- as she was the leader of her party.  The United Nations was also concerned, however, about the continued restriction not only of Aung San Suu Kyi, but also of other senior political leaders in the country, particularly in her party.

Asked whether Aung San Suu Kyi had asked for more involvement by the Security Council, he said she was very well informed about the dynamics of how the United Nations worked.  At one time, in fact, she had been a member of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).  She had spoken to him frankly and in confidence.  She had messages for the United Nations, but he would have to await the Secretary-General’s return to brief him.

Asked whether he supported greater Security Council involvement, he said he had visited Myanmar as an emissary of the Secretary-General.  The Security Council, the General Assembly and the Secretary-General each had their own roles.  Each complemented the other. 

Was there talk of offering the Government a package of inducements and was there a development plan that went beyond humanitarian access? a correspondent asked. 

Responding, he said the United Nations Resident Coordinator, in discussion with the interlocutors, did mention that the international community appeared ready to help Myanmar.  All of that depended on getting commitment on the part of the Government to re-engage with the international community as partners.  There were signs of openings in that regard.  While he had not gone to Myanmar with any offer of assistance, the country team did indicate that some of the donor countries were interested in helping.

Regarding the issue of military operations, he said he had raised the issue and appealed to the authorities to suspend military action. 

Asked to comment on the issue of Zimbabwe, he said that country faced enormous economic and social challenges.  The inflation rate, for example, had reached 1,000 per cent.  The country that used to be the bread basket of the region now faced tremendous challenges.  It was premature to talk about a package, and even more premature to talk about the departure of President Mugabe.  He seized every opportunity to discuss the issue, however, and was in constant consultations with the leaders of the region.

Asked whether his staff was involved in discussion on the possible departure of Mr. Mugabe, he said he was involved in constant discussion with Zimbabwe’s Government in helping to address the challenges facing that the country.  The issue of a package, whether with or without Mugabe’s departure, was far too premature to talk about.

Asked whether there had been any discussion about a plan that would involve Mr. Mugabe’s departure, he said there had not been.

South Africa had not thrown its full weight behind United Nations initiatives regarding Zimbabwe, a correspondent said.  Were President Mbeki’s comments a signal of a new South African initiative and had there been a change on the matter?

Responding, he said he could not speculate on what was motivating South Africa’s decision to consider stepping up or maintaining a level of engagement.  As for the United Nations, he had made it a part of his policy to engage the leaders of the sub-region, including from South Africa, and there were constant consultation with them on how best the international community could help the people of Zimbabwe.

The issue of the Karen people had been raised, he said in response to another question.

Asked to describe his visit, including the United Nations “sudden” interest in Myanmar and whether he had gone as a messenger of the Security Council, he said he had not gone as an emissary of the Security Council, but in the context of the Secretary-General’s good offices.  A number of Council members were supportive, however.  As for the United Nations interest, it was not sudden.  For the last several years, the General Assembly had adopted a resolution on Myanmar.  The situation should not be seen in terms of an event, but how Myanmar would engage.  Only time would tell whether the commitments made would be implemented.

Asked whether he expected the Council to step in, he said it was up to the Council.  He was not a member.

In response to another question, Mr. Gambari noted that no United Nations envoy had been allowed in for the last two years.  Given the sensitivity of the Aung San Suu Kyi issue, his visit was another reason to believe that Myanmar wanted to open up a new chapter.  Some doors had been opened.  He had tried to widen those doors and get the United Nations country team to follow up.  The fact that there was agreement that the United Nations could play a role in promoting common grounds between the Government and the National League for Democracy might be significant and was, at the least, a tacit acceptance that the involvement of National League for Democracy would promote an all-inclusive democratization.

Asked whether he believed the statement of the Chief of Police that Aung San Suu Kyi was no longer politically relevant and that her release would not be harmful, he said he could not offer an opinion.  But if the National League for Democracy was allowed to operate as a political party with Aung San Suu Kyi as its leader, he would not consider it irrelevant, but an important force. 

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For information media • not an official record