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Gambari meets Daw Suu and NLD leaders

Feb 2, 2009 (DVB), United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari met detained National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and senior party leaders at a government guesthouse in Rangoon this morning.

Aung San Suu Kyi and top party leaders Aung Shwe, Nyunt Wai, Than Tun, Hla Pe and Soe Myint spent an hour and a half with the UN envoy, according to NLD spokesperson Nyan Win.

"The main thing we discussed was the five points from his previous trip," Nyan Win said.

"We told him the NLD had nothing to say about the 2010 elections," he said.

"Mr Gambari asked the NLD’s view on the economic forum, and we said that the NLD could not give an opinion on it as we have received no economic data. Mr. Gambari agreed."

The five points Nyan Win mentioned are the release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and Tin Oo, a direct meeting between the junta and Aung San Suu Kyi, a forum to improve the country's economy, the appointment of a liaison officer for the special envoy in Burma and a visit to the country by the UN secretary-general.

Nyan Win said the NLD had stated that UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon should only come to Burma when all political prisoners are released.

"Mr Gambari wants Mr Ban Ki-moon to go to Burma," Nyan Win said.

"He implied that he would only come when there is palpable change, and he asked what the NLD would see as palpable change," he said.

"We said that the release of all political prisoners could be regarded as an important and palpable change."

The NLD also demanded the formation of a constitution revision committee, the recognition of the 1990 election results and the convening of a people’s parliament.

Aung San Suu Kyi also raised the lack of legal freedom with Gambari, Nyan Win said.

"She said that [political activists] are being given heavy sentences, lawyers are not allowed to represent them and they are facing obstructions," he said.

"These things are happening because of the lack of the rule of law."

This was Gambari's seventh trip to Burma since taking up his position.

His previous trips have been criticised for not bringing about any tangible results.

During his last trip the special envoy failed to meet junta leader senior general Than Shwe and Aung San Suu Kyi refused to speak to him.

Reporting by Aye Nai

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