Envoy ups pressure on Myanmar generals

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been held in her Yangon home for several months

YANGON, Myanmar -- United Nations envoy Razali Ismail has held talks with one of Myanmar's top generals in an effort to push the country's military rulers to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and resume talks.

The meeting with military intelligence chief Khin Nyunt took place behind closed doors in Yangon and -- as is usual -- neither side made any comment about the outcome.

Officially number three in the Myanmar government Khin Nyunt is regarded as one of the most powerful figures in the country's secretive military regime.

Razali's visit, his seventh in the space of some 18 months, is being seen by diplomats as a last chance for Myanmar's rulers to demonstrate they are serious about political change and not merely mouthing words in an effort to ease international sanctions.

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One particular focus of his visit will be the continued detention of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is being held under unofficial house arrest and has not been seen in public for several months now.

Razali was scheduled to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi later Wednesday, although once again the meeting is expected to take place behind closed doors.

Arriving in Myanmar on Tuesday, Razali said he was "always optimistic" that progress would be made on his trip but refused to elaborate on what that might be.

Stalled dialogue

Myanmar's ruling generals are under pressure to show they are serious about change

Razali was instrumental in setting up talks between the military government and opposition leaders a year and a half ago, but since then the dialogue has largely stalled.

Amid growing impatience many diplomats say they will be looking for Aung San Suu Kyi's release as the generals' surest sign of commitment to talks.

Although the government insists she is not under formal house arrest, she cannot leave her compound, her telephone line has been cut and visitor access is strictly controlled.

Razali's visit was originally scheduled to take place last month, but was abruptly postponed amid talk of a reported coup plot in Myanmar.

At the time a government spokesman said investigations were underway into the alleged plot with former ruler Ne Win and several members of his family detained for questioning.

'Coup' doubts

However, several observers and diplomats have cast doubt on the veracity of the plot rumors saying the allegations may stem from disagreements among the ruling generals over how to proceed in talks with Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition leaders.

What may have happened instead they say, is a purge of senior ranks by hardliners seeking to strengthen their hand in the leadership.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has been under military rule since a coup in 1962.

Once one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia, years of political isolation have left it one of the least developed in the region.

In 1990, facing international pressure, the military called nationwide elections sparking a landslide vote for the National League for Democracy (NLD) headed by Aung San Suu Kyi.

Caught off guard, the military refused to recognize the result of the election placing hundreds of NLD officials and members under arrest.

Human rights group Amnesty International says more than 1,500 political prisoners remain held in Myanmar jails.