U.N. special envoy to Burma, Razali Ismail, is expected to meet in Rangoon today (Wednesday) with Prime Minister Khin Nyunt and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Mr. Razali, on the second day of a three-day mission, planned push for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. He was also expected to talk to the opposition leader about the role her National League for Democracy party would play in a junta-proposed "road map" to democracy.
Mr. Razali last visited Burma in June, just days after Aung San Suu Kyi was detained after a violent clash between her supporters and pro-government demonstrators. Now, she is under house arrest while recovering from surgery last week.
During his latest mission, Mr. Razali has met with Khun Tun Oo and ethnic leaders from other political parties in Rangoon and plans to meet with others.
Burma's Prime Minister Khin Nyunt revealed a road map to democracy soon after he was appointed to his post in August, but offered few details and refused to assign a timeline to the plan.
On Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan set a timetable for ending military rule in Burma. In a report to the General Assembly, he urged the United Nations and the international community to work together to bring about the transition to democracy in Burma by 2006, when the country takes over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.