MYANMAR: BAN REVIEWS LATEST DEVELOPMENTS WITH 'GROUP OF FRIENDS'

MYANMAR: BAN REVIEWS LATEST DEVELOPMENTS WITH 'GROUP OF FRIENDS' New York, Sep 27 2008 3:10PM Members of a group of nations helping Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his efforts to spur change in Myanmar today encouraged the Government of the Asian country to work more closely with the UN to deal with issues of concern, including the release of the long-detained political prisoner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Group of Friends on Myanmar, which comprises 14 countries and one regional bloc, also called on the Government to respond more positively on other key issues, such as the initiation of an all-inclusive dialogue with the opposition.

The Group's comments were made in a statement issued by the spokesperson of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who convened and chaired a high-level meeting of the countries in New York today.

That statement described today's meeting as "a useful and constructive discussion," and noted that the involvement of so many high-level officials indicated "the importance that the international community attaches to the situation in Myanmar."

The participants included the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the High Representative of the European Union (EU), as well as government ministers from concerned countries.

Mr. Ban's statement added the Group members were unanimous in voicing strong support for the Secretary-General's good offices and its implementation through his Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari.

"While noting the recent actions taken by the Government of Myanmar, members of the Group also further encouraged it to work more closely with and respond more positively with the United Nations good offices to address key issues of concern to the international community, especially the release of prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the initiation of an all-inclusive dialogue between the Government and the opposition."

Ms. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years and her current period of detention started in 2003.

The Group of Friends also "encouraged all parties in Myanmar to seize the opportunity of the UN good offices, while stressing the responsibility of the Myanmar Government to demonstrate its stated commitment to cooperation with the good offices through further tangible results."

The Group, founded in December last year, represents a balanced range of views on Myanmar and was set up to hold informal discussions and develop shared approaches to support UN efforts. The Friends are: Australia, China, the EU, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Russia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Viet Nam.
2008-09-27 00:00:00.000

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