Will Ban Ki-moon’s trip to Burma be fruitful?

-Mizzima News Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General will visit Burma on Friday. And during his two-day stay, Ban has sought a meeting with Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the ruling junta’s military Chief Senior General Than Shwe. According to a UN statement, the world leader will urge Burma to implement three changes - the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, resumption of dialogue for national reconciliation and to create a political ambience and legal frame work conducive to holding a credible election in 2010.

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To analyse the UN chief’s visit to Burma and whether he will be able to achieve his goals, Mizzima’s Editor Sein Win talks to Dr. Thaung Tun, the UN representative of Burma’s government in exile – the National Coalition Government of Union of Burma. Q: As an envoy to the UN, what is the expectation you have of Ban Ki-moon’s visit to Burma? A: Ban Ki-moon’s visit to Burma is an important stage for the United Nations in its efforts to facilitate a process of national reconciliation in Burma. The involvement of the Secretary General himself, in trying to help resolve Burma’s problems show that Burma has become a hot issue in the political agenda of the international community. Read the rest of the interview