U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has met with the special United Nations envoy for Burma, Razali Ismail, as the Burmese foreign minister prepares to speak before the U.N. General Assembly.
A State Department spokesman said Monday Mr. Armitage and Mr. Ismail agreed on the need for the Burmese military government to release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
They also agreed on the importance of beginning a dialogue on national reconciliation and establishing democracy in the state.
Burma said earlier Monday its new foreign minister Nyan Win was on his way to New York to join his country's delegation to the United Nations General Assembly Session. He is scheduled to speak to the Assembly later this week.
Information for this report is provided by State Dept. Press Briefing.