ASEAN Backs UN Envoy Mission to Burma - Malaysian FM

Oct 17, 02:02 AM

Current Headlines: Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency)

["ASEAN Backs UN Envoy Mission To Myanmar: Malaysian FM" - Xinhua headline]

Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) - ASEAN supports UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari's peace mission to persuade Myanmar government to reconcile with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said here on Tuesday.

He said the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) was against imposing sanctions against Myanmar as the move would cause problems to the people.

"ASEAN wants to see Gambari succeed in his talks with Myanmar's military rulers," he said after meeting the envoy who is on his second stop here in a 6-nation Asian tour.

The former Nigerian foreign minister, who was in Thailand on Monday, will also go to Indonesia, Japan, India and China to exchange views on the current situation in Myanmar.

He will meet Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Putrajaya, the administrative centre of Malaysia on Wednesday.

Syed Hamid also urged Myanmar to allow Gambari to return to the country soon in efforts to find an amicable solution to its political turmoil.

He said that from his discussions with Gambari, who visited Myanmar earlier this month, it was encouraging and positive that the Myanmar government had appointed a liaison officer for Suu Kyi who is currently under house arrest in Yangon.

"I hope the Myanmar government will allow Gambari to return to Myanmar soon to enable him to discuss with the various parties there," Malaysian national news agency Bernama quoted Syed Hamid as saying.

"So far, I think Myanmar has reacted positively and there are some constructive ways to tackle the issue in a peaceful manner," he said, urging Myanmar, an ASEAN member, to work closely with the UN envoy.

Gambari would issue a statement on Wednesday after meeting Badawi, according to the Foreign Minister.

Originally published by Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 1437 16 Oct 07.

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