U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell holds a press briefing before his visit to Burma to meet with the ruling junta and opposition parties prior to the upcoming elections, in Bangkok, Thailand, 09 May 2010
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State is to meet with representatives of Burma's military government Sunday and then on Monday with members of the now defunct opposition National League for Democracy.
Campbell did not say if he would meet with Burma's highest ranking leader, General Than Shwe, who rarely grants an audience to foreign critics. His government dissolved the NLD Friday for refusing to register under strict election laws for elections expected later this year.
The rules require parties to expel any members who have been jailed, including for their political beliefs, and to take part in this year's elections.
NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for most of the past two decades and hundreds of NLD members have been imprisoned for opposing military rule.
Before leaving for Burma, Campbell told journalists in Bangkok he would express U.S. concerns about the election preparations. He said he plans to discuss the elections separately with government officials and NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi as well as with members of ethnic groups and others contesting the elections.
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