US President George W Bush discussed the Burma crisis in a telephone call to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday, as both leaders prod for change in the repressive regime in Burma.
Bush and Ban agreed on the importance of serious talks between the military regime and the democratic opposition, with the goal of a return to democratic government, White House spokesman Dan Perino said.
To that end, Ban told Bush that UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari is expected back in Burma by as early as Thursday.
"The president emphasized the need to maintain a clear message to the military regime that real political change, aimed at a restoration of human rights and democracy, is required to end the crisis," Perino said.
The UN does not have confirmation of a specific date for Gambari's visit, UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said. Earlier this month the UN said that Burma had agreed to move up the date to early November from mid-November.
Bush and Ban agreed on the importance of serious talks between the military regime and the democratic opposition, with the goal of a return to democratic government, White House spokesman Dan Perino said.
To that end, Ban told Bush that UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari is expected back in Burma by as early as Thursday.
"The president emphasized the need to maintain a clear message to the military regime that real political change, aimed at a restoration of human rights and democracy, is required to end the crisis," Perino said.
The UN does not have confirmation of a specific date for Gambari's visit, UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said. Earlier this month the UN said that Burma had agreed to move up the date to early November from mid-November.
