5 November 2007 – The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari, continued his visit to Myanmar today with discussions on future cooperation between the Government and the United Nations Country Team, after authorities last week declared they did not want the world body’s top official in the South-East Asian nation to continue his service. Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a letter to the world body last week that it does not want UN Resident Coordinator Charles Petrie to continue working in Myanmar. It cited a statement released by the UN Country Team – headed by Mr. Petrie – on 24 October which referred to socio-economic issues in Myanmar.
Mr. Gambari took up the issue today when he met with Foreign Minister U Nyan Win, their second meeting in as many days. During their meeting yesterday, they discussed the Government’s response so far to the expectations of the international community following the recent crisis.
Upon his arrival in Myanmar on Saturday, Mr. Gambari met with Mr. Petrie and conveyed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s support for the Country Team and the Resident Coordinator, and the important work they continue to do to improve the socio-economic and humanitarian situation.
On Sunday, he met with U Aung Kyi, Minister for Labour and Minister for Relations, who was recently appointed by Myanmar authorities as a liaison officer to start dialogue between the Government and the opposition.
They had an extensive and detailed exchange about the Minister’s discussions with detained pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on an agreed framework for meaningful dialogue.
Mr. Gambari is scheduled to meet Ms. Suu Kyi and other relevant interlocutors, as well as the Prime Minister and other senior government officials, during his current visit, which is a follow-up to his last mission in October aimed at promoting democratization, the protection of human rights and national reconciliation.
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