UN envoy asks ASEAN to help improve situation in Myanmar
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 21 November 2007 1638 hrs

	Photos  of
	Special Report • ASEAN Summit in Singapore

SINGAPORE: United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari pointed out two ways in which ASEAN can better improve the political situation in Myanmar.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN summit, Dr Gambari said: "The role of the secretary-general needs to be beefed up in terms of his effectiveness, because if, for example, the dialogue, the process of which has tentatively been started becomes real, becomes authentic, then the UN has a role to play as facilitator."

"Secondly, those who support the Secretary-General could do so in concrete terms by encouraging the government of Myanmar to cooperate fully, regularly and authentically with United Nations good offices," he added.

During the meeting, which lasted less than 20 minutes, Prime Minister Lee also explained to Dr Gambari about ASEAN's decision to cancel the planned briefings by the UN diplomat on Myanmar.

Singapore, as the current chair of ASEAN, is facilitating individual meetings between various ASEAN leaders and Dr Gambari.

Mr Lee said Dr Gambari has so far met several ASEAN delegates and leaders, including the foreign ministers of the original six-member ASEAN group.

The prime minister also reiterated ASEAN's full commitment to seeing national reconciliation in Myanmar.

"We encourage Myanmar to start this process of dialogue and reconciliation and to make full use of the good offices of Professor Gambari and of the United Nations. And that he had our continued good wishes and support in the work he was doing."

Dr Gambari said although he was not able to brief ASEAN officially on Myanmar, his trip has nonetheless been worthwhile.

He said: "It didn't turn out quite as planned, but I can say my visit here has been extremely worthwhile. I have tremendous opportunities to meet with so many delegates, so many leaders.

"And I would continue to do consultations with leaders (from) Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, and hope I have explained the United Nations assessment of the situation," he said. - CNA/ac