Thai PM: Burma Promises Reforms, But No Release for Aung San Suu Kyi - 2004-12-09

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says his Burmese counterpart has assured him that Rangoon will proceed with democratic reforms.

Mr. Thaksin told reporters Thursday that Burmese Prime Minister General Soe Win pledged to him that Rangoon will continue its national convention on political reform, part of the Burmese military's so-called "road map" to democracy. The convention met for two months earlier this year.

General Soe Win, however, indicated that pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will remain under house arrest for now.

Mr. Thaksin said General Soe Win complained that the three times Rangoon released the Nobel laureate, there were problems.

Mr. Thaksin, accompanied by Lao Prime Minister Bounnyang Vorachit, met with Burmese leaders earlier today on the sidelines of the World Buddhist Summit in Rangoon.