Kofi Annan ‘welcomes’ SPDC’s promise

DVB ( 22 December 2003 )

The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on 19 December he welcomed signs that the ruling junta in Burma has committed to steps to move the nation toward democracy and urged the regime to allow his envoy, Mr. Razali Ismail to Burma as soon as possible to begin the process of political dialogue.

"The secretary general is also encouraged by the commitment made by Foreign Minister Win Aung of Myanmar (Burma) that the Myanmar authorities would implement their seven-step roadmap for the country's democratic transition in an 'all-inclusive' manner," Annan’s spokesman, Fred Eckhard said in a statement.

His comments came after the news that Mr. Razali is visiting Burma soon but political organisations within Burma are becoming more doubtful on Mr. Razali’s ability to sort out the problems.

Some Burmese critics say that Mr. Annan’s comments seem to go against the tripartite dialogue path proposed and adopted by the UN.

But Dr. Thaung Tun, the UN representative of the exiled NCGUB said that the Secretary General’s words are those of a diplomat. ‘It is a kind of reminder to the SPDC that it needs to fulfil its promise…I believe that the transition to democracy in Burma could only be successful if it is helped by the international community under the leadership of the UN,’ he added.