UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari failed to meet detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi before he left Myanmar yesterday, an apparent setback in his bid to promote democratic reforms in the country.
In a meeting with diplomats Saturday, Gambari said it was Suu Kyi and not the government who refused to hold the meeting. The news
adds to speculation that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate may be dissatisfied with the United Nations' thus far unsuccessful efforts to bring about change in the military-ruled nation.
"Gambari said the government had allowed the meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi even at her house but it was Suu Kyi who refused to see him," an Asian diplomat who was at Saturday's meeting told The Associated Press. He refused to be identified, citing protocol.
Gambari told the diplomats he didn't know the reason Suu Kyi canceled a planned meeting Wednesday since he hadn't been able to
communicate with her. Gambari called the situation "unfortunate," the diplomat said.
In addition to missing Wednesday's meeting, Suu Kyi refused to see two UN officials who went to her house on Friday. That prompted Gambari to extend his stay until Saturday, but he was still unable to arrange a meeting with Suu Kyi before flying to Singapore.
The UN envoy told diplomats that he was able to meet Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein. The two discussed the release of political prisoners and the dialogue between the junta and Suu Kyi, he said.
The failure to meet Suu Kyi is the latest stumble in Gambari's bid to promote democracy in Myanmar and secure her release from house arrest.
Gambari has met with Suu Kyi on previous visits but his trips have resulted in little more than photo opportunities.
Gambari's troubles are part of a larger struggle by the UN to convince the junta to change its ways. The military has ruled the nation since 1962 and has been widely criticized for suppressing basic freedoms.
UN envoys have visited the country nearly 40 times since 1990, along with other senior officials, while the UN General Assembly has passed numerous resolutions calling for change.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been in a political deadlock since 1990, when Suu Kyi's party overwhelmingly won general elections but was not allowed to take power by the military.
Voters earlier this year approved a new constitution in a referendum that the government says will pave the way for elections in 2010. But critics, including Suu Kyi's political party, called the referendum a sham.
The new constitution guarantees 25 percent of parliamentary seats to the military and allows the president to hand over all power to the military in a state of emergency.