RAPAPORT… As part of his ongoing efforts to promote open government in Myanmar, the United Nations envoy to the southeast Asian nation wrapped up consultations in New Delhi with Indian officials, who assured of their continuing support. Trade groups have called for the ban of Myanmar gemstones following government crack-down on protesters in August and September 2007.
Ibrahim Gambari of the United Nations met with India’s vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari, as well as foreign minister Pranab Mukerjee and foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon this past week. The meetings were a continuation of consultations held in October in New Delhi between Gambari and India.
“Mr. Gambari is encouraged by these consultations and India’s support for the secretary general’s good offices on Myanmar,” UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters in New York.
Gambari, who has travelled to Myanmar twice since the events of August and September 2007, is expected to visit Beijing for consultations with the China this month.
In January, Gambari told reporters that while countries in the region have placed on record their support “there is still more that everybody can do.”
All those who have a role to play, both inside the country and outside, should be given the chance to do so in the interest of moving toward “a peaceful, prosperous but democratic Myanmar with full respect for the human rights of its people,” he said.
Gambari has a standing invitation to return to Myanmar but a date for his visit is still under discussion with the government.