SECRETARY-GENERAL MEETS WITH TOP OFFICIALS IN MYANMAR

Secretary-General has held talks with top officials in Myanmar on key issues, including the release of political prisoners such as Nobel laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

In the capital Nay Pyi Taw, Mr. Ban met with Senior General Than Shwe yesterday and this morning, and he has also held talks with Prime Minister Thein Sein.

Ahead of his two-day visit, the Secretary-General told reporters in Japan that he understood there were concerns about the timing of his visit given that the trial of Ms. Suu Kyi is pending.

"It may be the case that the trial may happen during my visit in Myanmar. I am very much conscious of that. At the same time, to find the most appropriate timing has been a challenge for me, too," he said, adding that he would use the visit to try to "raise in the strongest possible terms" the concerns of the international community about the situation inside Myanmar.

Mr. Ban said stressed in Japan that Myanmar's authorities should release all political prisoners, including Ms. Suu Kyi, immediately resume dialogue between the Government and opposition leaders, and create both a political atmosphere and a legal framework conducive to the holding of credible elections next year.

"This is the commitment and concerns and aspiration of the international community. I am going to convey this strongly to Senior General Than Shwe and other leaders," he said, adding that he also hopes to have dialogue with grassroots groups during his visit.

The Secretary-General last visited Myanmar in May 2008 in the wake of the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Nargis, which killed almost 150,000 people, and he has said that he considers building on the joint humanitarian efforts that emerged following that disaster to be essential.

From Myanmar, the UN chief is scheduled to travel to Switzerland, Ireland and Italy.
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