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UN envoy praises changes in Burma UN envoy sees progress on Burma
(about 6 hours later)
The United Nations special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, has said the situation there has changed for the better in the past few weeks. United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari says progress is being made in talks with Burma's military leaders.
Reporting to the UN security council on his recent visit to the country, Mr Gambari said it had not produced all the results he was hoping for. Mr Gambari told the Security Council that while his recent visit had not achieved all its objectives, there had been "positive outcomes" from the trip.
But he added though that the Burmese government could be responsive to international pressure. Western diplomats, however, voiced doubt over the regime's commitment to meaningful dialogue.
Mr Gambari visited Burma twice after the violent suppression of protests. Mr Gambari's assessment came ahead of a major gem auction in Rangoon - a key source of revenue for the junta.
He said opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi had been allowed to issue a statement for the first time in over four years and had been allowed to meet members of her party. Rights groups have called for a boycott of the two-week sale.
"I have stressed to the government that the best way to make real their commitment to dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is to release her without delay so that she can become a full partner in dialogue," Mr Gambari said. 'Substantive dialogue'
"On balance, the positive outcomes of this latest mission show that the government of Myanmar can be responsive to the concerns of the international community." Mr Gambari has just concluded his second visit to Burma since troops violently suppressed anti-government protests in September.
Junta snub The UN envoy - who was not allowed to meet top leader General Than Shwe - described the situation as "qualitatively different from what it was a few weeks ago".
He added also that "the situation today is qualitatively different from what it was a few weeks ago". We do not believe that a fundamental shift has occurred in the regime's attitude to embrace substantive reconciliation Zalmay KhalilzadUS envoy to the UN
The Burmese leader Than Shwe (R) received Mr Gambari only once "On balance, the positive outcomes of this latest mission show that the government of Myanmar (Burma)... can be responsive to the concerns of the international community," he said.
Mr Gambari was reporting to the UN Security Council after his second visit to Burma following the violent suppression of anti-government protests in September. After his visit, detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed to issue a statement for the first time in over four years and to meet members of her party. She also held a second meeting with a junta-appointed military liaison.
However, on his second visit he failed to secure a meeting with the country's leader, General Than Shwe. Mr Gambari said that he hoped a process was in place that would lead to "substantive dialogue with concrete outcomes " and urged the government to release Ms Suu Kyi.
The military also rejected his proposal of a three-way meeting with the leaders and Ms Suu Kyi as premature. Several Western diplomats, however, voiced scepticism over the commitment of Burma's leaders to a genuine dialogue process.
Burma has been ruled since 1962 as a military dictatorship, with the junta failing to honour the result of the 1990 elections won by Ms Suu Kyi's party. "We do not believe that a fundamental shift has occurred in the regime's attitude to embrace substantive reconciliation and transition to democracy," US envoy to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad said.
The BBC's Laura Trevelyan, at the UN, says Security Council diplomats are divided over whether the Burmese government is genuinely committed to change or just playing for time by pretending to engage with the UN and Aung San Suu Kyi.
'Quick cash'
Thousands of gem buyers are expected at the sale
Meanwhile in Rangoon, a major auction of precious stones is expected to attract hundreds of international dealers.
Burma is one of the world's biggest producers of jade and gems such as rubies.
But human rights groups say they are mined using forced labour and their export helps fund the junta.
"The sale of these gems gives Burma's military rulers quick cash to stay in power," said Arvind Ganesan of Human Rights Watch in a statement.
The group called for sanctions on Burma's gem trade - but most of the buyers expected to attend are from Asian nations such as Thailand and China which oppose sanctions against Burma.