However, he told members of the UN Security Council there seems to be some movement in that regard; a viewpoint which could not satisfy several members of the Security Council including Britain, France and the United States.
"I informed the (Security) Council that, so far, we have not seen tangible outcomes of my visit," Gambari told reporters outside the Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York.
"But there seems to be some movement in that direction," Gambari said, after he briefed the 15-members of the Security Council in a closed door meeting. He was in Burma from January 31 to February 3, during which he met officials of the Burmese military junta and the leaders of the pro-democracy movements and ethnic groups.
He also met Aung San Suu Kyi, but could not meet the Senior General, Than Shwe, during his four day stay in the country.
"I told the (Burmese) government, now is the time to demonstrate Myanmar's commitment to addressing concretely the issues of concern to the international community, particularly the release of political prisoners and the resumption of dialogue between the Government and Aung San Suu Kyi," Gambari said.
"I did point out to the Government that the action they take now and in the next few months would send signals to the Secretary General, signals to ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations], and signals to the new US Administration, which is trying to develop a new policy towards Myanmar," he said.
Gambari said the position of the UN with regard to elections and restoration of democracy in the country has not changed.
"We're not advocating elections in 2010 or any time. It is up to the Government and people of Myanmar to decide but we continue to advocate conditions that are conducive to free and fair elections when they do take place," he said.
Meanwhile, the British and French Ambassadors to the United States expressed deep disappointment with the UN envoy, for not being able to make progress with regard to the goals set by the UN Security Council.
The two Ambassadors vented out their anger at a media stake out outside the UN Security Council after the 15-member apex body was briefed by Gambari.
"Unfortunately, the content of his report is disappointing and I want to say once again: unfortunately," the French Ambassador, Jean Maurice Ripert, told reporters. "We regret that there has not been any real progress on the issues of greatest concern. Indeed the situation has gone backwards," the British Ambassador, Sir John Sowers, said.
Visibly upset with what people of Burma call as a failed mission of Gambari, Ripert said: "He (Gambari) was not in a position to meet with General Than Shwe. It is true he has seen Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi - that is the minimum that could have happened—unfortunately he did not receive in return any serious sign of opening by the authorities of Burma."
***************************************************************************************
No comments:
Post a Comment