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UN official sees Burma's Suu Kyi | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A leading UN official, Ibrahim Gambari, has met opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as he continues his mission to press for democratic reform in Burma. | A leading UN official, Ibrahim Gambari, has met opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as he continues his mission to press for democratic reform in Burma. |
Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest for more than 10 of the past 17 years, told him she was in good health but needed more regular medical visits. | |
Mr Gambari began the day with talks with Burma's military leaders. | Mr Gambari began the day with talks with Burma's military leaders. |
His visit comes as the US says it plans to introduce a UN resolution on human rights abuses in Burma. | |
The international community is increasing pressure on Burma to make serious changes to its harsh regime. | The international community is increasing pressure on Burma to make serious changes to its harsh regime. |
So far there has been little indication that the ruling generals are willing to co-operate. | So far there has been little indication that the ruling generals are willing to co-operate. |
Mr Gambari's talks will therefore be watched closely for signs of a possible breakthrough. | Mr Gambari's talks will therefore be watched closely for signs of a possible breakthrough. |
He began the day in Burma's new capital, Nay Pyi Taw, where he met military ruler Than Shwe and other senior officials. | He began the day in Burma's new capital, Nay Pyi Taw, where he met military ruler Than Shwe and other senior officials. |
Back in Rangoon, he held talks with members of Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party, the National League for Democracy. | Back in Rangoon, he held talks with members of Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party, the National League for Democracy. |
Losing patience | Losing patience |
Mr Gambari last visited Burma in May, when he was given the rare opportunity of meeting Aung San Suu Kyi, widely seen as a symbol of resistance to Burma's ruling military junta. | Mr Gambari last visited Burma in May, when he was given the rare opportunity of meeting Aung San Suu Kyi, widely seen as a symbol of resistance to Burma's ruling military junta. |
It was the first time in more than two years that a foreigner had been allowed to meet her, and the visit fuelled hopes that she would soon be released, and that the military might finally make some concessions to international demands. | It was the first time in more than two years that a foreigner had been allowed to meet her, and the visit fuelled hopes that she would soon be released, and that the military might finally make some concessions to international demands. |
But almost as soon as Mr Gambari left the country, such hopes were dashed. | But almost as soon as Mr Gambari left the country, such hopes were dashed. |
The international community is gradually losing patience with Burma's lack of progress towards democracy, as well as the many allegations of human rights abuse. | The international community is gradually losing patience with Burma's lack of progress towards democracy, as well as the many allegations of human rights abuse. |
The United Nations Security Council tabled discussions on Burma in September, and the US wants the council to draft a resolution on the issue as soon as possible. | The United Nations Security Council tabled discussions on Burma in September, and the US wants the council to draft a resolution on the issue as soon as possible. |
By allowing Mr Gambari to visit Aung San Suu Kyi for a second time, the generals may be preparing to offer some sort of olive branch, says the BBC's Kate McGeown in Bangkok. | By allowing Mr Gambari to visit Aung San Suu Kyi for a second time, the generals may be preparing to offer some sort of olive branch, says the BBC's Kate McGeown in Bangkok. |
But it is clear that nothing less than a solid commitment on reform will be enough to satisfy the international community. |
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