UN envoy heads for Myanmar
Envoy may pave way for visit by secretary general in effort to push for reforms.
“I’m now evaluating all the possible situations. I have not yet made my decision, but I may have to make [a] decision soon,” Ban said.
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has been ruled by the military since 1962.
The current regime seized power in 1988 and called national elections in 1990.
But it refused to honour the results of the vote in which Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy scored a landslide victory.
House arrest
Aung San Suu Kyi herself has been held in jail or under house arrest for most of the past 20 years.
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| Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962 [GALLO/GETTY] |
She is currently on trial for breaking the terms of her detention arrest over a secret and uninvited visit to her home by an American man, John Yettaw.
Yettaw, who is also on trial, and Aung San Suu Kyi, face up to five years in jail if convicted.
Myanmar opposition supporters have condemned the trial as an effort to keep her in detention during elections the government has scheduled for next year as part of what it calls a “road map to democracy”.
The vote, expected to take place some time in 2010, has been dismissed by critics as a sham designed to cement the military’s continued grip on power behind a veneer of democracy.
Several countries have reportedly urged the UN secretary general to make a personal visit to Myanmar to push for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release and to press the government to make next year’s election more open and inclusive.
‘Important partner’
However, human rights groups and other governments have urged Ban against visiting now, arguing that he could be used by the government.
Ban last visited Myanmar in 2008 and was seen as instrumental in persuading the ruling military to allow more foreign relief workers into the country following the devastation of Cyclone Nargis.
Speaking to the AP about a possible future visit, Ban said he was “concerned about what [the] Myanmar government has done against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi”, using a term of respect used in Myanmar.
“I have strongly urged them to drop all the charges against her and release all the political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”
“She is and can be a very important partner for dialogue for the authorities of Myanmar government. Therefore, whenever I’m ready I’m going to visit and discuss this matter directly in person with Senior General Than Shwe and other leaders.”