UN special envoy to go to Burma again

With the support of East Asian nations and the international community, the UN can make "a difference" in the troubled country this time as the junta had made clear it was willing to work with the UN, he told reporters.

He said his engagement with the junta has a timeline.

"There will be a substantial time bond, providing an opportunity to breach the deadlock between the junta and the international community that has been going on for quite a number of years," he said.

Gambari was in Singapore this week at the invitation of Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who chaired the Asean summit. His plan to brief Asean and East Asian leaders was cancelled at the last minute as Burma's Prime Minister Thein Sein objected to the idea.      

 The UN envoy, who said he was disappointed at not having the chance to brief Asean leaders in a formal setting, arranged an informal meeting on Tuesday with six foreign ministers of Asean, excluding Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam where he planed to visit soon.

He met separately with Burma's Prime Minister Thein Sein and Philippines President Gloria Arroyo on Tuesday and with Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Wednesday to discuss his plan.

Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram said there was a great deal of trust and confidence in Gambari and UN good offices to make national reconciliation happen in Burma.

"Yes, of course, we have to move forward toward democracy, but we also need flexibility because we have to cope with many different people,"  Nitya told reporters. "We believe they (Burma) want to go the same way. We signed the (Asean) charter and they also signed it so we are in the same community with the same wish."

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer who also met Gambari on the sidelines of the Asean meeting and urged support from East Asian nations, notably China.

by Supalak G Khundee

The Nation, Singapore