NEW YORK, 29 June 2009: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will visit Burma from 3 to 4 July, at the invitation of the Government, to highlight key issues such as the need to release all political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, it was announced Monday.
Mr. Ban, who last visited the country in the wake of the devastating Cyclone Nargis last May, “looks forward to returning to Burma to address directly with the senior leadership a broad range of issues, including longstanding concerns to the United Nations and to the international community,” his spokesperson, Michele Montas, said.
The Secretary-General, she added, believes that the issues of political prisoners, the resumption of dialogue between the Government and opposition to achieve national reconciliation, and setting the stage for credible elections “cannot be left unaddressed at this juncture of the country’s political process.”
Further, he considers building on the joint humanitarian effort following his visit to Burma last May in the aftermath of Nargis, which killed nearly 150.000 people, to be also essential.
– The Secretary-General believes that the sooner these issues are addressed, the earlier Myanmar will be able to move towards peace, democracy and prosperity, Ms. Montas said, adding:
– He looks forward to meeting all key stakeholders to discuss what further assistance the United Nations can offer to that end.
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