UN Committed to Democratic Transition in Myanmar

UN Committed to Democratic Transition in Myanmar, Ban Tells Aung San Suu Kyi

New York, Nov 18 2010 2:10PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed that the United Nations will continue to support efforts towards a democratic transition in Myanmar, as he spoke with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi following her long-awaited release.

Ms. Suu Kyi, the head of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was released on 13 November after having been under house arrest for much of the past two decades.

“The Secretary-General told Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that he was encouraged by the spirit of reconciliation emanating from her statements and appeals for dialogue and compromise following her release,” his spokesperson said in a statement issued after the telephone call.

Mr. Ban reiterated his own commitment and that of the UN to continue to uphold the cause of human rights and support all efforts by the Government, Ms Suu Kyi and all other stakeholders to build a “united, peaceful, democratic and modern future” for their country.

They both stressed the need for the Myanmar authorities to release all remaining political prisoners so that all of the country’s citizens are free to contribute to advancing the prospects of national reconciliation and democratic transition in Myanmar, the statement noted.

For her part, Ms. Suu Kyi voiced her appreciation for the UN’s role in Myanmar, and expressed her support for an early visit by the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Myanmar to Yangon and her desire to engage with him for pushing ahead in addressing the challenges facing the people of Myanmar.

ENDS

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