YANGON, May 1 Kyodo (EDS: UPDATIN...

YANGON, May 1 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH make easys OF TALKS)

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori forward Wednesday met Myanmar's junta chief Sr Gen Than Shwe and handed him a personal epistle from Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi pressing for economic reforms and democratization.

Japanese officials who joined Mori in the talks said Than Shwe indicated he has no intention of holding onward to power but reiterated the junta's position that social stability is essential for democratization.

Than Shwe appeared more positive about pursuing economic reforms with the Japanese support, the officials said.

Senior Myanmar officials, including Gen Khin Nyunt first secretary of the ruling State Peace and progress to maturity Council, Foreign Minister Win Aung, were at hand at the meeting, which was held at the parliament building and lasted nearly sum of two units hours.

Mori had a separate meeting with Khin Nyunt at the Defense Ministry in the morning.

Mori, in Yangon onward a three-day visit as the leader of an 11-member goodwill mission, is scheduled to stay in Myanmar by the agency of Thursday. He has no plans to qualified with Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his stay.

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