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Suu Kyi meets Burmese official Suu Kyi meets her political party
(about 1 hour later)
Detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has held talks with a military official, before meeting members of her political party. Detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has met members of her political party for the first time in more than three years.
She was driven from her heavily guarded home to a guesthouse for the talks. The meeting took place at a government guesthouse in Rangoon.
When Ms Suu Kyi meets other National League for Democracy leaders later on Friday, it will be the first time she has seen them in three years. Earlier she met an official from the military government who has been appointed to conduct a dialogue with the opposition.
The talks come a day after Ms Suu Kyi said she would work with the military junta to achieve constructive dialogue. The talks come after Ms Suu Kyi said she would work with the military junta to achieve constructive dialogue.
"In the interest of the nation, I stand ready to co-operate with the government in order to make this process of dialogue a success," she said."In the interest of the nation, I stand ready to co-operate with the government in order to make this process of dialogue a success," she said.
Her statement was delivered by UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, ending a second visit to Burma since troops brutally suppressed anti-government protests in September. Her statement was delivered by UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari on Thursday, as he ended a second visit to Burma since troops brutally suppressed anti-government protests in September.
He spent six days in the country but failed to meet top leader General Than Shwe.He spent six days in the country but failed to meet top leader General Than Shwe.
'Meaningful dialogue''Meaningful dialogue'
Ms Suu Kyi has not met members of her own party since May 2004.
Aung San Suu Kyi's party won polls in 1990 but was never allowed to take power. The junta has kept her under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years.Aung San Suu Kyi's party won polls in 1990 but was never allowed to take power. The junta has kept her under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years.
We now have a process going which would lead to substantive dialogue between the government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi UN statementWe now have a process going which would lead to substantive dialogue between the government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi UN statement
Her written statement, read to reporters by Mr Gambari, was her first public comment since her latest round of detention began in May 2003.Her written statement, read to reporters by Mr Gambari, was her first public comment since her latest round of detention began in May 2003.
Ms Suu Kyi welcomed Aung Kyi's appointment as a go-between and described the first meeting between the two, on 25 October, as constructive.Ms Suu Kyi welcomed Aung Kyi's appointment as a go-between and described the first meeting between the two, on 25 October, as constructive.
But she called for preliminary consultations to conclude soon, to make way for a "meaningful and time-bound dialogue" with Burma's leaders.But she called for preliminary consultations to conclude soon, to make way for a "meaningful and time-bound dialogue" with Burma's leaders.
State television announced yesterday that Ms Suu Kyi would be allowed to hold the two meetings today. She has not met members of her own party since May 2004.
Meanwhile, a UN statement issued at the end of Mr Gambari's visit said that progress had been made.Meanwhile, a UN statement issued at the end of Mr Gambari's visit said that progress had been made.
"We now have a process going which would lead to substantive dialogue between the government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a key instrument in promoting national reconciliation," it said."We now have a process going which would lead to substantive dialogue between the government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a key instrument in promoting national reconciliation," it said.
But correspondents have expressed doubt over the government's commitment to a genuine process of dialogue aimed at reform.But correspondents have expressed doubt over the government's commitment to a genuine process of dialogue aimed at reform.
The goal of such a dialogue process would be movement towards multi-party democracy - something in which Burma's generals have shown minimal interest.The goal of such a dialogue process would be movement towards multi-party democracy - something in which Burma's generals have shown minimal interest.
"I find it very difficult to trust them. I hope this is not some new ploy," a roadside book seller in Rangoon told Reuters news agency."I find it very difficult to trust them. I hope this is not some new ploy," a roadside book seller in Rangoon told Reuters news agency.
And in the early stages of Mr Gambari's visit, there were unpromising signs.And in the early stages of Mr Gambari's visit, there were unpromising signs.
Firstly, the UN envoy was not allowed a meeting with top General Than Shwe, and then Information Minister Kyaw Hsan, in a meeting with Mr Gambari, accused the international community of bullying Burma.Firstly, the UN envoy was not allowed a meeting with top General Than Shwe, and then Information Minister Kyaw Hsan, in a meeting with Mr Gambari, accused the international community of bullying Burma.
Mr Gambari is to return to Burma in the next few weeks, the UN statement said.Mr Gambari is to return to Burma in the next few weeks, the UN statement said.