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Burma's Suu Kyi meeting UN envoy Burma rejects UN referendum plan
(about 4 hours later)
Burma's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has left her house for a meeting with a visiting UN envoy, reports say. Burma's military government has rejected a UN proposal to send independent observers to May's referendum on a new constitution.
Ms Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest, was seen leaving in an official convoy for the state guest house where the envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, is staying. State television said monitors would impinge on Burma's sovereignty.
Mr Gambari is currently in Burma to mediate between the military government and opposition. The proposal was made by visiting UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari in a meeting with officials responsible for the vote.
It is his third visit since last year's government crackdown on protests led by the country's revered Buddhist monks. Mr Gambari also met opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who is under house arrest but was allowed to leave for the talks in a state guest house.
Mr Gambari earlier met other members of Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), along with representatives of ethnic minorities and non-governmental organisations. The May referendum is part of a road map for the restoration of democracy.
It was announced by Burma's military rulers following an international outcry over the violent suppression of pro-democracy protests by Buddhist monks last year.
Elections
The process is due to lead to democratic elections in 2010, though opposition groups have cast doubt on whether the government will stick to its pledges.
Pro-democracy activists say the proposals will leave the military largely in power. A quarter of seats in parliament would be reserved for the armed forces.
Earlier, Ms Suu Kyi, who leads the opposition National League for Democracy, was seen leaving her home in a convoy of official vehicles for the meeting with Mr Gambari.
As yet, there's been no word on the outcome of their talks. Mr Gambari, who has made three visits to Burma since the September protests, last met her in November.
Mr Gambari's mediation mission was prompted by international concern at the crackdown and demands for democracy to be restored.
'Confrontational attitude''Confrontational attitude'
The five NLD leaders are said to have expressed the need for more talks with the military government and the release of political prisoners.
The UN envoy last met Ms Suu Kyi during a visit in November.
Ibrahim Gambari is trying to find a way out of the political deadlock
On Friday, he met government officials who repeated that the head of the military government, Than Shwe, would only be willing to meet Ms Suu Kyi if she stopped calling for sanctions against Burma and dropped her "confrontational attitude".On Friday, he met government officials who repeated that the head of the military government, Than Shwe, would only be willing to meet Ms Suu Kyi if she stopped calling for sanctions against Burma and dropped her "confrontational attitude".
Information Minister Kyaw Hsan also expressed disappointment with Mr Gambari's efforts to rally support in neighbouring countries for reform in Burma.Information Minister Kyaw Hsan also expressed disappointment with Mr Gambari's efforts to rally support in neighbouring countries for reform in Burma.
Elections
The government is holding a referendum on constitutional reform in May and says this is part of a process leading to democratic elections in 2010.
Opposition groups say the proposals will leave the military largely in power. A quarter of seats in parliament would be reserved for the armed forces.
The NLD won elections in 1990, but the government refused to recognise the result. Ms Suu Kyi has been in detention for 12 of the last 18 years.The NLD won elections in 1990, but the government refused to recognise the result. Ms Suu Kyi has been in detention for 12 of the last 18 years.
The suppression of protests last September by Buddhist monks calling for democracy prompted world-wide condemnation and led to intensified international efforts at mediation.