The U.N. special envoy to Burma is rejecting the idea that speeding up democratic reform could throw the country into Iraq-like disarray.
Razali Ismail today-on Wednesday urged Burma's military leaders to move toward democracy as soon as possible.
He also called for the release of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.
On Tuesday, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar concluded talks with Burma's military rulers. He said they told him they feared a rapid move to democracy could cause chaos, similar to what is happening in Iraq.
Burma has been criticized by many countries and international organizations for failing to implement democratic reform --- and continuing to detain political prisoners.
Information for this report is provided by AP and Reuters.
