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The military junta in Myanmar has taken some "positive" steps, but needs to do more for starting a dialogue with the opposition, the United Nation's special envoy told the Security Council, as members differed in their perceptions about the effectiveness of his latest mission there.
While the United States and Britain expressed doubts about the "positive" signs mentioned by the envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, China saw in his efforts a progress and Russia once again strongly opposed imposition of sanctions, saying such a step could prove counterproductive.
The remarks by the diplomats of China and Russia, both veto-wielding members of the Council, in effect rejected the suggestions by Washington and London to impose sanctions on Myanmar to force the military government to move towards democracy, release all political detainees and begin talks with pro-democracy opposition for national reconciliation.
On his part, Gambari urged the government to immediately begin talks with the opposition, stressing that dialogue is the only way forward to address the country's ongoing crisis.
Stating that some progress has been made since his last visit earlier in November, he pointed out that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed to issue a statement and meet her party leaders.
But US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad was not impressed by the positive signs mentioned by Gambari, a former Nigerian foreign minister. "The regime's so-called roadmap to democracy is demonstrably inadequate," he said calling for the release of Suu Kyi, a point which Gambari also stressed. "I have stressed to the government that the best way to make real their commitment to dialogue with Daw Aung Suu Kyi is to release her without delay so that she can become a full partner in dialogue," said Gambari.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya however saw improvement in the situation and opposed imposition of sanctions, saying it is an internal matter of Myanmar.
"In today's world, no country can afford to stay outside the irreversible trends towards stability, prosperity and democracy, and it is the responsibility of every government to listen to its people, respond to legitimate popular demands and respect in full the human rights of its citizens," Gambari told the Security Council.
"Starting a dialogue between the Government and the opposition without delay is a necessary part of any reconciliation process, and addressing the humanitarian and socio-economic factors underlying popular grievances," he added.
He stated that a process is now in motion that will hopefully lead to a substantive dialogue with concrete outcomes within an agreed time frame between the leadership of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi. "In order to succeed, dialogue will require flexibility on all sides," he added.
Gambari, who visited Myanmar from November 3 to 8, told the Council it is important to note the initial "positive steps" taken by the government since his last visit, including the lifting of curfews put in place during the demonstrations, the withdrawal of a visible military presence from the streets and the release of over 2,700 people detained during the course of the protests.
In addition, the government has appointed a liaison officer to pursue dialogue with Suu Kyi, set up a constitutional drafting committee and agreed to receive the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro.
Gambari said that although his mission did not produce all the results he had hoped for, there were a number of positive outcomes. Among them was the fact that, for the first time since she was last put under house arrest in May 2003, Suu Kyi was allowed to pronounce herself publicly through a statement read by Gambari on November 8. Following that statement, she was also allowed, for the first time in four years, to meet with members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
In addition, Gambari said the Government assured him that it would release more detainees and that no more arrests would be carried out.
With regard to the UN Country Team in Myanmar, Gambari said an agreement was reached with the authorities, whereby an acting Resident Coordinator would take over until a new Resident Coordinator was appointed. The government had informed the UN that it did not want the current Resident Coordinator Charles Petrie to continue working in the country.
"The positive outcomes of this latest mission show that the government of Myanmar, while stressing its sovereignty and independence, can be responsive to the concerns of the international community," Gambari stated.
Gambari, who has been invited to return to Myanmar by the government, also told the Council about the consultations he carried out in key regional capitals before visiting Myanmar.
Meanwhile, Pinheiro continued his mission to Myanmar with a visit to the new capital, Nay Pyi Taw, where he met the Home Minister Maj-Gen. Maung Oo.