YANGON, MYANMAR — Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi — under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years — met for a little more than an hour Thursday with a Myanmar government official in a meeting broadcast on state television.
Suu Kyi and government minister Aung Kyi were shown seated in high-backed chairs having a discussion — a scene that suggested two dignitaries in a meeting rather than someone under house arrest.
The Nobel peace laureate was driven from her home to a nearby government guest house, where she held talks with Aung Kyi, the newly appointed “minister for relations,” the report said.
It was the first known meeting between Suu Kyi and the retired major general who was appointed to the post Oct. 8 to hold talks with her.
His exact duties have not been detailed, but it appeared Aung Kyi would coordinate all of Suu Kyi’s contacts with the regime and the United Nations, which is seeking to end the political deadlock between democracy advocates and the junta.
Appointing a liaison officer was suggested by U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari during a visit to Myanmar weeks ago, state media said. Gambari met with top junta officials and with Suu Kyi twice at a government guest house during his visit.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said, “The meeting is a good thing but not sufficient.”
“There is a need for a full reconciliation process to start a transition” to democracy, he told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York.
“We believe it’s very important for Mr. Gambari to be involved in the dialogue with regard to reconciliation,” he said.
Khalilzad said Suu Kyi “has to be in circumstances where she can consult, meet with her party members and have informed discussion with the government with regard to the transition, and those circumstances are not there.”
He said the U.S. and the U.N. are trying to get India, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to use their influence to encourage the government to change Suu Kyi’s conditions, speed Gambari’s return and release prisoners.
Myanmar’s government has been strongly criticized for sending troops to crush peaceful protests in late September. The military junta said 10 people were killed, but diplomats and dissidents say the death toll is likely much higher. Thousands were arrested, and the hunt for participants is reportedly continuing.
Aung Kyi, who on Wednesday was elevated by the government to labor minister from deputy labor minister, has a reputation among foreign diplomats, U.N. officials and aid groups as being relatively accessible and reasonable, compared with junta leaders, who are highly suspicious of outsiders.
