UN asks Myanmar to redouble efforts towards democratisation

United Nations, Oct 21 (PTI) U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked the military government and opposition in Myanmar to redouble their efforts towards nationals reconciliation and democratization leading to a "credible and inclusive" political process.

"The political challenges of any transition to democracy require negotiated political solutions," Ban wrote in his latest report to the General Assembly on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

As the country reaches a delicate juncture in its
political development, the report says, there is no real
alternative to a peaceful process of national reconciliation
and "now is the time for the Government and opposition alike
to find ways to talk to each other and work together in the
interest of the nation."

Ban's Special adviser Ibrahim Gambari had thrice
visited the country but failed to achieve any tangible results
including release of detained pro-democracy opposition leader
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. When he visited the country last time,
he could not meet with her and reports had said that she
declined to see him because she felt there is no use of
talking when he could do little to change the political
scenario.

Gambari had stated that the tangible results of his
most recent visit in August "fell below our expectations," but
added that the U.N. "will not give up on working for national
reconciliation, democracy and respect for human rights in
Myanmar."

Secretary-General echoed Gambari's views when he told
reporters last month that Myanmar has not experienced the
anticipated political progress and its Government should take
real measures towards setting up a more inclusive political
process that promotes human rights.

Ban expressed similar sentiments in his report, saying
it remains "a source of frustration that meaningful steps have
yet to be taken by the Myanmar Government in response to the
concerns and expectations of the U.N. and the international
community in the context of the good offices process."

Myanmar's authorities are in the process of preparing
for general elections scheduled for 2010 – the next step in
the seven-step road map for democracy outlined by the
Government.

Ban underlined that the future of Myanmar ultimately
rests with the Government and its people, and said the role of
the U.N. is to ascertain the positions of all parties and
facilitate their efforts to work together through dialogue
towards a mutually acceptable process of national
reconciliation and democratisation.

Noting that there is no alternative to dialogue to
ensure that all stakeholders can contribute to the future of
their country, he said that the release of Suu Kyi and other
political prisoners will be key for the resumption of an
enhanced, all-inclusive substantive and time-bound dialogue.

The Secretary-General and his Special Adviser have
consistently emphasised that only a credible and inclusive
political process — based on mutual understanding and
compromise by all stakeholders — can help to advance the
prospects of durable peace, national reconciliation, democracy
and respect for human rights in Myanmar.

"In this regard, it is unfortunate that specific
suggestions of the United Nations to improve the credibility
and inclusiveness of the political process have thus far not
been taken up by the Government," the report said. PTI