Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s refusal to meet with United Nations Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari during his visit to the country last week has put a strong spotlight on the UN’s failed diplomatic efforts, said observers and members of the country’s opposition.
“I think she sent the message not only to Gambari but also to the UN and the Burmese people that there is no tangible consequence from the last meetings,” said Win Naing, a spokesperson for the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) in Rangoon.
In a surprise move, Suu Kyi cancelled a meeting with Gambari last Wednesday and refused to meet with him again on Friday. Her refusal came amid criticism of the envoy’s meetings with groups formed by the ruling junta as a means of shoring up support for a military-drafted constitution and planned elections in 2010.
But Suu Kyi was not the only person who did not want to meet Gambari on this trip. Some observers said that the refusal of Snr-Gen Than Shwe to meet the UN envoy was one of the reasons Suu Kyi declined to meet him.
“She obviously wants to send the message to the junta and to the UN that she is frustrated with the lack of progress,” said Larry Jagan, a British journalist who specializes in Burmese issues, speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday.
Meanwhile, Burma’s ruling military regime moved quickly to exploit the situation. State-run television showed Gambari’s aides and Burmese officials standing in front of Suu Kyi’s house—one holding a loudspeaker—calling her to come out.
Information Minister Kyaw Hsan, who in a previous encounter with Gambari severely upbraided him for his supposed bias towards the pro-democracy leader, said: “We deeply regret that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi declined to meet with Your Excellency.”
Many Burma watchers and Burmese groups in exile were less sympathetic. Several Burmese bloggers ridiculed Gambari’s mission and UN efforts.
A Western diplomat with a keen interest in Burma said that the outcome of Gambari’s trip was “quite disappointing.”
“Her [Suu Kyi] tactic was clearly the result of frustration at the failure of the regime to take her and Gambari seriously,” said the diplomat, noting that this was the third time that Than Shwe had failed to meet Gambari.
Although he was only supposed to meet with mid-ranking officials on this trip, the regime’s prime minister, Gen Thein Sein, finally made himself available after Suu Kyi’s cancellation.
Aye Thar Aung, secretary of the both Arakan League for Democracy and the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament, blasted the UN envoy, calling him “just a guest of the junta.”
“He is doing what the junta asked for. He is like a representative of the junta,” said the Rangoon-based Arakanese politician, echoing the sentiment of some who believe that Gambari endorsed the 2010 election.
“Mr Gambari hasn’t achieved any concrete result from this trip at all,” said Jagan. “There is no improvement in the political situation. There was no discussion of the release of political prisoners.”
“I think his mission now must be at an end,” said Jagan.
“I think she sent the message not only to Gambari but also to the UN and the Burmese people that there is no tangible consequence from the last meetings,” said Win Naing, a spokesperson for the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) in Rangoon.
In a surprise move, Suu Kyi cancelled a meeting with Gambari last Wednesday and refused to meet with him again on Friday. Her refusal came amid criticism of the envoy’s meetings with groups formed by the ruling junta as a means of shoring up support for a military-drafted constitution and planned elections in 2010.
But Suu Kyi was not the only person who did not want to meet Gambari on this trip. Some observers said that the refusal of Snr-Gen Than Shwe to meet the UN envoy was one of the reasons Suu Kyi declined to meet him.
“She obviously wants to send the message to the junta and to the UN that she is frustrated with the lack of progress,” said Larry Jagan, a British journalist who specializes in Burmese issues, speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday.
Meanwhile, Burma’s ruling military regime moved quickly to exploit the situation. State-run television showed Gambari’s aides and Burmese officials standing in front of Suu Kyi’s house—one holding a loudspeaker—calling her to come out.
Information Minister Kyaw Hsan, who in a previous encounter with Gambari severely upbraided him for his supposed bias towards the pro-democracy leader, said: “We deeply regret that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi declined to meet with Your Excellency.”
Many Burma watchers and Burmese groups in exile were less sympathetic. Several Burmese bloggers ridiculed Gambari’s mission and UN efforts.
A Western diplomat with a keen interest in Burma said that the outcome of Gambari’s trip was “quite disappointing.”
“Her [Suu Kyi] tactic was clearly the result of frustration at the failure of the regime to take her and Gambari seriously,” said the diplomat, noting that this was the third time that Than Shwe had failed to meet Gambari.
Although he was only supposed to meet with mid-ranking officials on this trip, the regime’s prime minister, Gen Thein Sein, finally made himself available after Suu Kyi’s cancellation.
Aye Thar Aung, secretary of the both Arakan League for Democracy and the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament, blasted the UN envoy, calling him “just a guest of the junta.”
“He is doing what the junta asked for. He is like a representative of the junta,” said the Rangoon-based Arakanese politician, echoing the sentiment of some who believe that Gambari endorsed the 2010 election.
“Mr Gambari hasn’t achieved any concrete result from this trip at all,” said Jagan. “There is no improvement in the political situation. There was no discussion of the release of political prisoners.”
“I think his mission now must be at an end,” said Jagan.
