United Nations Radio

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called on Myanmar's military government to free all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and allow her to participate in the political process without delay.

Secretary-General Ban in Myanmar

Mr. Ban spoke to reporters in Bangkok after his two-day visit to Myanmar, where he met with the country's military government, but was denied access to the pro-democracy leader, who is currently on trial.

"I am deeply disappointed that Senior General Than Shwe refused my request. Allowing a visit to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would have been an important symbol of the government's willingness to embark on the kind of meaningful engagement that will be essential if the elections in 2010 are to be seen as credible. I believe the government of Myanmar failed to take a unique opportunity to show its commitment to a new era of openness. Nonetheless, my visit has enabled me to convey the concerns of the international community very frankly and directly to Senior General Than Shwe and his government leaders."

Mr. Ban added that the rejection of his request to see Aung San Suu Kyi should not be the only benchmark by which the success or failure of his trip is measured, because there are many fundamental issues to be addressed in Myanmar. He emphasized to Myanmar's leaders that neither peace nor development can thrive without democracy and respect for human rights.

Mr. Ban also visited a village in the Irrawaddy Delta, which was devastated by Cyclone Nargis and discussed the expansion of humanitarian assistance beyond the Delta area. This was Mr. Ban's second visit to Myanmar since the cyclone struck last May, killing 130,000 people.

For UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.

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