UN envoy back in Burma for talks
The UN diplomat will meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon
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Sunday, 04, Nov 2007 08:47
United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gambari has returned to Burma for a second round of talks with the ruling junta.
Mr Gambari previously met with members of the Burmese government in the aftermath of a crackdown on protests led by Buddhist monks.
He is expected to continue to push the case for institutional reform and dialogue with the opposition National League for Democracy during the meeting in the country's capital.
The top diplomat, who has been tasked with conveying the international community's concerns to the regime, will also meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangyon at the home where she has been detained for many years.
Another item on Mr Gambari's agenda will be the southeast Asian government's decision to expel a UN diplomat who criticised the ruling party's economic and humanitarian record.
Burma has accused the UN's resident coordinator Charles Petrie of going beyond the confines of his role and has decided to expel him from the country.
Analysts have said that the move which came just days before Mr Gambari's arrival could be an attempt on the part of the regime to divert the diplomat's attention from reform proposals.
In September, the Burmese government detained hundreds of activists as it tried to quell anti-government protests. The move was condemned by the international community and efforts have been made since then to encourage the country's government to change its system of rule.