Constitutional Talks in Myanmar not credible without Daw Aung San Suu Kyi''s participation by United Nations News 4:55pm 18th May, 2004   1 June 2004    Myanmar: UN rights expert 'disappointed' with Government response.    A United Nations expert tracking the human rights situation in Myanmar today voiced "disappointment" with the lack of cooperation on the part of the country's authorities with his work. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro has twice asked to visit Myanmar since last November, "without much success so far," according to a statement released today in Geneva. All dates he has suggested have so far been rejected by the authorities.    Concerning current developments, Mr. Pinheiro today voiced concern about plans for Myanmar's National Convention, noting that steps had not been taken to "ensure minimum democratic conditions" for that event. "Without the participation of the National League of Democracy (NLD) and other political parties that won the majority of seats in the 1990 elections, the present National Convention has lost a unique opportunity for embracing a genuinely free, transparent and inclusive process involving all political parties, ethnic nationalities and members of civil society," he said.    The expert also reiterated his earlier assertion that if the ruling State Peace and Development Council wants to promote a genuine process of political transition, it must immediately restore basic political rights and freedoms, including the release of the NLD leaders, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo.    "The NLD party offices should be reopened, all other political prisoners must be released immediately and unconditionally, and there should be no more arrests or punishment for peaceful political activities," he stressed.    17 May 2004    Constitutional talks in Myanmar would not be credible without the full participation of democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's party and other political groups, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned today.    The Secretary-General "noted with concern" that Myanmar's national convention was reconvened without the involvement of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other political parties that won the majority of seats in the elections of 1990, his spokesman said in a statement.    "[He] reiterates that, for the national convention to be credible, it must be all-inclusive and that all the delegates must be able to express their views without sanction," spokesman Fred Eckhard said.    "The release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has clearly indicated her willingness to work with the Government, and U Tin Oo, Deputy Chairman of the NLD, as well as the lifting of the remaining restrictions on the NLD, are essential if the international community is to recognize the national convention as a legitimate forum for democratization and national reconciliation in Myanmar," he added.    Mr. Annan and his Special Envoy, Razali Ismail, were dismayed that, despite assurances from the Government, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) did not take these necessary steps, the spokesman said.
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