U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the head of Burma's military
government has not yet answered his request to meet with jailed
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Mr. Ban spoke Friday
after talks in Burma's remote administrative capital of Naypyitaw. The
U.N. chief said he told senior Burmese General Than Shwe that he wants
to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi.
He said he is awaiting a final reply before he is due to leave Burma on Saturday.
After
arriving in Burma, Mr. Ban said he would urge authorities to release
all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. He said he also
would call on Burmese authorities to prepare the groundwork for a
credible election next year. He said the election should reflect the
will of the Burmese people in a "credible, transparent and inclusive
manner."
Mr. Ban has acknowledged that he is on "a very tough mission."
Aung San Suu Kyi is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest. She is facing a five-year prison term.
The
Nobel laureate's trial was set to resume Friday after numerous delays.
But the court hearing the case issued another postponement, this time
until July 10.
Her lawyer, Nyan Win, says the judge postponed
Friday's hearing because the Supreme Court did not send the case files
to the lower court.
The international community has condemned the trial as a sham intended to keep her in prison through next year's election.
Observers
say Mr. Ban is risking certain damage to his prestige if he fails to
secure the release of the Nobel laureate and the other political
prisoners. He has been criticized for his quiet, low-key style of
diplomacy.
Human Rights Watch warned Thursday that Burma's
military leaders could use the U.N. chief's visit to legitimize next
year's elections.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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