Dec 29, 2008 (DVB), Wundwin township National League for Democracy in Mandalay division has called for United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to visit Burma to help push for a solution to the country's problems.

The call was made at a monthly meeting of township NLD members on 28 December.

Wundwin NLD members also called on the ruling State Peace and Development Council to release all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi to start the process of national reconciliation.

Wundwin township NLD secretary Tun Tun said Ban Ki-moon should visit as soon as possible.

"The UN secretary-general has said he will take his time, but our country has no time to lose," Tun Tun said.

"Crime is rising in this area due to economic difficulties, there is more unemployment nationwide , we don’t want him just to watch," he said.

"The UN secretary-general should empathise with the suffering of the people of Burma and come and solve the problems as soon as possible."

There have been several high-profile calls for Ban Ki-moon to visit Burma, including from the European Union and 112 former world leaders.

But senior NLD member Win Tin said in November that Ban Ki-moon should not visit at this time, saying he risked lending support to the regime if he visited again without challenging the junta's actions.

Reporting by Aye Nai