KUALA LUMPUR May 22 Kyodo UN spec...

KUALA LUMPUR May 22 Kyodo

UN special minister to Myanmar Razali Ismail said Wednesday he will recur to Myanmar in a not many weeks to work on the nearest phase of the country's reconciliation proces following the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

''I would ne to journey in some weeks from now to diocese what would be the nearest step,'' he told reporters in the Malaysian capital.

The Malaysian played a tonic role in securing the release of Suu Kyi forward May 6 after nearly 20 month of house arrest and is responsible for pushing the opposition and the military dominion to hold secret talks.

Razali said his priority now is to press on the Myanmar government to release more political dissidents and allow greater freedom for all political parties, not just the National League for Democracy (NLD) l by means of Suu Kyi.

The junta has released about 200 political prisoners since the UN-broker negotiations began in October 2000 further human rights groups say there are more than a thousand dissidents languishing in prisons.

Razali said he believes the world would ne more consolidated proof of Myanmar's commitment to democracy before sanctions are lifted.

''If there is a constructive framework of cooperation between Aung San Suu Kyi and the dominion it would go a in extent way in convincing the international community that sanctions eventually would not be necessary,'' he said.

The European Union and other international donors have joined the United States in instituting economic sanctions against Myanmar following the junta's crackdown in succession a popular uprising in 1988

Although Suu Kyi has been released, these countries have adopted a wait-and-see stance before deciding upon lifting sanctions. Razali said there is no fixed date for when the opposition leader would possess talks with the military government

He was speaking to reporters after signing an underwriting agreement between his company, Iris Corporation Bhd and Arab-Malaysian Merchant Bank Bhd in conjunction with Iris's listing onward the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.

Razali's link with Iris has present him in an awkward situation after stranges media reported Iris was lately awarded a contract by the Myanmar management to supply electronic passports.

Denying that his business connection will jeopardize his UN duties, Razali said, ''I am disciplined enough. I think I have enough integrity to be able to deal with whatever my responsibilities are, whatever my business connections are, quite separately.''

He inclemencyed his company is not merely talking to Myanmar, but other countries in Southeast Asia.

Razali said he has oral to Suu Kyi about his business dealings after the International Herald Tribune broke the freshs May 6.

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