United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed “frustration” at the Burmese regime's failure to respond to his efforts to engage the Naypyidaw government.
“My special adviser [Tomas Ojea Quintana] and I are deploying every effort to continue to engage with the authorities,” Ban Ki-moon told a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday.
“I have been very clear in expressing our concerns and expectations regarding the political process, including the planned elections this year.
“It is a source of frustration, however, that Myanmar has been unresponsive so far to these efforts. A lack of cooperation at this critical moment represents nothing less than a lost opportunity for Myanmar.”
Ban Ki-moon spoke as news broke that the Burmese regime has denied a visa to permit Quintana to make a fourth visit to Burma. The news was carried by Inter Press Service.
It is believed that the regime's treatment of Quintana may be a response to his call for a commission of inquiry into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Burmese regime. Quintana made the call in a report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in March.
The United Nations has tried to engage with the Burmese generals since 1992 through the efforts of Ban Ki-moon and his special envoy, in UN General Assembly resolutions and at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.
However, no tangible positive result has yet resulted from the efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and to ensure a free, fair and inclusive general election.
“My special adviser [Tomas Ojea Quintana] and I are deploying every effort to continue to engage with the authorities,” Ban Ki-moon told a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday.
“I have been very clear in expressing our concerns and expectations regarding the political process, including the planned elections this year.
“It is a source of frustration, however, that Myanmar has been unresponsive so far to these efforts. A lack of cooperation at this critical moment represents nothing less than a lost opportunity for Myanmar.”
Ban Ki-moon spoke as news broke that the Burmese regime has denied a visa to permit Quintana to make a fourth visit to Burma. The news was carried by Inter Press Service.
It is believed that the regime's treatment of Quintana may be a response to his call for a commission of inquiry into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Burmese regime. Quintana made the call in a report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in March.
The United Nations has tried to engage with the Burmese generals since 1992 through the efforts of Ban Ki-moon and his special envoy, in UN General Assembly resolutions and at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.
However, no tangible positive result has yet resulted from the efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and to ensure a free, fair and inclusive general election.
