INDONESIA: Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono meets U.N special envoy for Myanmar crisis talks in Jakarta

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari in Jakarta on Thursday (October 18) after holding talks with Indonesia Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda to find a peaceful solution to Myanmar's problem. Ibrahim Gambari encouraged ASEAN and "neighbouring countries" to use their influence to force General Than Shwe to "follow through on his commitments." He said the U.N. believed "the process that is needed for national reconciliation of Myanmar should be all-inclusive." Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda admitted that "ASEAN's constructive engagement has failed." "We need to think of a new approach that could create change in Myanmar," Hassan Wirajuda added. Two weeks ago, the violent crackdown on the biggest pro-democracy protests Myanmar has seen in the last 20 years resulted in 10 deaths, although many diplomats say the number might be far higher. Gambari said he would press China to lean harder on Myanmar's junta to open dialogue with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi following last month's brutal crackdown on democracy protests. He praised Beijing, the closest the former Burma's military rulers have to an ally, for helping to arrange his visit to Yangon after the suppression of the Buddhist monk-led street protests in which at least 10 people died. Gembari is on a regional tour to drum up support for efforts to persuade the generals to talk to Suu Kyi, who has been detained for 12 of the last 18 years. He is due to go to India and then China next week. Both nations bordering Myanmar are seen as having some sway over the military junta.

ITN Source | October 18, 2007

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