YANGON: Myanmar's military junta named a point man to build relations with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as the United Nations weighed action against the regime for its bloody crackdown on protesters.
Junta chief Than Shwe named the deputy labor minister, Aug Kyi, as the "manager for relations" with the Nobel Peace Prize winner, just four days after the military supremo made a heavily conditioned offer to meet with her, state television said.
Than Shwe was following a recommendation made by UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who concluded a mission here to name an official who would "continue relations with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the future," state television said.
The announcement came amid an international outcry over Myanmar's deadly crackdown on peaceful anti-government protests late last month, when Buddhist monks led up to 100,000 people in the streets in the biggest challenge to military rule in nearly two decades.
At least 13 people died and more than 2,100 were locked up as security forces beat down the protests with live rounds, baton charges and teargas. Aung San Suu Kyi, who has come to symbolize Myanmar's peaceful resistance against tyranny, has spent most of the last 18 years under house arrest.
The junta rarely has any direct dealings with her, but naming Aung Kyi to build relations with her seemed to indicate the military was prepared for at least a minimal level of contact.
Print
Top
