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Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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Suu Kyi meets Minister for Relations

—AFP

MENDING FENCES: Detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi with Myanmar Minister for Relations Aung Kyi at a state guesthouse in Yangon on Thursday, in this hand-out photograph from the Myanmar government.

YANGON: Myanmar’s detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi met a government official for about an hour on Thursday, the state-run television reported.

The Nobel laureate was driven a few minutes from her home to a government guesthouse, where she held talks with the newly appointed Minister for Relations, Aung Kyi, a retired Major General.

With his appointment on October 8, the junta said it hoped to achieve “smooth relations” with Ms. Suu Kyi.

The appointment of a liaison officer was suggested by United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari during his September 29-October 2 visit to Myanmar. He met top junta officials and Ms. Suu Kyi.

A protest movement began on August 19 over the raising of fuel prices. It mushroomed over weeks into a broad-based anti-government movement pressing for democratic reforms. Tens of thousands of people staged demonstrations — the largest protests in nearly two decades of the military rule.

Mr. Gambari’s trip came after the troops quelled mass protests with gunfire.

The government said 10 people were killed but dissidents put the death toll at 200. They said 6,000 people were detained, including thousands of monks.

Coordinating contacts

Maj. Gen. Aung Kyi’s exact duties have not been detailed, but it appears he would coordinate all of Ms. Suu Kyi’s contacts with both the regime and the U.N., which is seeking to end the political deadlock between democracy advocates and a military that has ruled since 1962.

Maj. Gen. Aung Kyi has a reputation among foreign diplomats, U.N. officials and aid groups for being relatively accessible and reasonable compared to top junta leaders, who are highly suspicious of outsiders. He has had the delicate task of dealing with the International Labour Organisation, which accuses the junta of using forced labour.

Early this month, the government announced that junta leader Senior General Than Shwe was willing to meet Ms. Suu Kyi — but only if she agreed to certain conditions. — AP

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