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U.N. envoy meets Suu Kyi, Than Shwe

— Photo: AP

FRENETIC ACTIVITY: U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon on Tuesday.

SINGAPORE: United Nations Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari on Tuesday met chief of Myanmar’s ruling junta, Senior General Than Shwe, in Naypyitaw, the country’s capital.

This was indicated by Myanmar’s state media which, however, gave no details of the discussions, according to sources in Yangon.

Myanmar’s exiled dissident leaders said Mr. Gambari met Aung San Suu Kyi, celebrated democracy campaigner and Nobel Peace Laureate, in Yangon after calling on Sr. Gen. Than Shwe.

Mr. Gambari’s mission has taken place in the context of the call by the United Nations Security Council for restraint by Myanmar’s junta in responding to the protesters, whose demands range from a reduction in the recently raised fuel prices to the release of political prisoners, restoration of democracy and political freedoms, and economic justice.

Mr. Gambari is expected to brief Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is also Chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Mr. Lee had urged Sr. Gen. Than Shwe to “work” with Mr. Gambari to chart a way forward in the present “very grave” situation. On the diplomatic front, Australia on Tuesday declined to accept a military officer, nominated by Myanmar’s junta, as Ambassador in Canberra.

Describing the junta as “a very brutal military regime,” Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said at least 30 persons, and not 10 as claimed by Myanmar’s officials, were killed in the crackdown on protesters in Yangon and other places. Mr. Downer said 1,400 persons had been arrested in “a pretty brutal crackdown.”

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