VIETNAM: U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari plans a return to Myanmar by the end of the year in a bid to secure the release of political prisoners and prod the country towards democracy
Record ID:
1526957
VIETNAM: U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari plans a return to Myanmar by the end of the year in a bid to secure the release of political prisoners and prod the country towards democracy
- Title: VIETNAM: U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari plans a return to Myanmar by the end of the year in a bid to secure the release of political prisoners and prod the country towards democracy
- Date: 27th November 2007
- Summary: NEWS CONFERENCE SOUNDBITE (English) U.N. SPECIAL ENVOY IBRAHIM GAMBARI SAYING: "What happens in Myanmar positively will affect neighbouring countries, ASEAN countries and the international community. That is why it is important for all of us to work for a positive development, prosperous, peaceful, democratic Myanmar with full respect for human rights." NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 12th December 2007 10:35
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA5PCY12SUGM5DTWUFY70CIDVXP
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari plans a return to Myanmar by the end of the year in a bid to secure the release of political prisoners and prod the country towards democracy.
The United Nations' special envoy to Myanmar says he hopes to return to Myanmar by the end of the year.
He told a news conference in Vietnam on Monday (November 26) he hoped to meet again with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as well as newly appointed members of a committee drafting a new constitution.
Reports of further arrests in Myanmar "were unfortunate" he said and ran counter to the military government's announcement of releases of prisoners following its violent suppression of protesters in September.
Gambari said he was delivering a written message from the U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung "on the important role of ASEAN countries, neighbouring countries and this country in particular".
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed a charter last week that calls for promotion of democracy and human rights, but it has come under fire over Myanmar after the crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
"What happens in Myanmar positively will affect neighbouring countries, ASEAN and the international community," Gambari said.
"That is why it is important to work for a prosperous, peaceful, democratic Myanmar with full respect for human rights.".
In January, Vietnam will take a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council and potentially have to vote on sensitive diplomatic issues regarding allies such as Myanmar and North Korea. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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