Chiang Mai – Ethnic leaders in Burma do not expect significant progress toward national reconciliation from the forthcoming visit of the United Nations Special Envoy to Burma.

Ibrahim Gambari, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's Special Envoy to Burma, will arrive in Burma on March 6th in continuance of his efforts to apply diplomatic pressure to restore democracy in Burma.

Aye Thar Aung, Secretary of the Committee Representing People's Parliament (CRPP), said, "We don't expect much from his visit. I don't think the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) will listen and accept what Mr. Gambari says and urges them to do at this moment."

"They have issued Announcements 1/2008 and 2/2008 which clearly show they will unilaterally go ahead with their own road-map. Talks between Mr. Gambari and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will just be a superficial show," he added.

According to these Announcements, a constitutional referendum is to be held in May of this year followed by new elections in 2010.

"I don't think Mr. Gambari will succeed in persuading the regime to stop their unilateral actions and restart useful dialogue, especially with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, or in building confidence for the national reconciliation process by joining the hands of pro-democracy, regime and ethnic forces," Aye Thar Aung further speculated.

Aye Thar Aung has been a leader of the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) since 1990 and represents four political parties in CRPP.

CRPP was formed in September 1998 and consists of several 1990 election winning parties, including: National League for Democracy (NLD), Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), Mon National League for Democracy (MNLD), Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD) and Zomi National Congress (ZNC). But the regime has never recognized CRPP and views it as an illegal organization.

"The U.N. is not in a position to do anything for Burma at the moment. The international community can do nothing for Burma. There will be no regime change in this situation. Our ethnic leaders are under the constant surveillance of the regime. It's totally disappointing," U Thoung Ko Thang, Minister of Parliament elect from the Tamu constituency in Sagaing Division and leader of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), remarked.

Ethnic leaders have sent letters requesting a meeting with the U.N. representative during his visits to Burma. However, to date, Gambari has been unable to meet with ethnic leaders.

Gambari visited Burma after September's Saffron Revolution and met with the junta's Senior General Than Shwe, opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders.

In recent weeks he has toured the regional countries of China, Japan, Singapore, India and Indonesia seeking support for his diplomatic efforts.
According to the U.N. the Special Envoy is prepared to stay in Burma as long as required.