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UNITED NATIONS: UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari told the UN Security Council Tuesday Myanmar's rulers had taken "positive steps" since his visit last week but that they must do more to ensure a genuine dialogue with the opposition.
Briefing the council, Gambari cited the lifting of curfews in place during anti-government protests, the release of over 2,700 people detainees and of some political prisoners, and talks between opposition chief Aung San Suu Kyi and Labour Minister Aung Kyi.
But he noted that the regime "has yet to provide any assurance that it will lift restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi," and cited "serious concerns about ongoing reports of human rights abuses and the willingness of the government to move forward in a new direction."
"In today's world, no country can afford to stay outside the irreversible trend toward stability, prosperity and democracy," Gambari said. "It is the responsibility of every government to listen to its people, respond to the legitimate popular demands and respect in full the human rights of its citizens."
Several council members praised Gambari for his efforts but made it clear that Myanmar needed to do more, including allowing the UN envoy to return soon and have full access to all those he needs to see.
"He's doing a good job. His latest mission had some success," US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad said of the UN trouble-shooter. "But we believe there's a need for further substantive progress and the ball is in the court of the government."
He said that what was needed was, as suggested by Aung San Suu Kyi, "time-bound and substantive dialogue," adding "that needs to start as soon as possible."
"A mix of engagement and pressure needs to be applied, calibrated as circumstances warrant," Khalilzad said, making clear he was not ruling out further unilateral or multilateral sanctions if necessary. - AFP/ac
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