Ban to Visit Asean countries and China

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon gives a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on October 19. (Photo: Getty Images)

via CAAI

By LALIT K JHA

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

WASHINGTON—Days ahead of the Nov. 7 Burmese election, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel to China and other key Asean countries, during which the election will be a topic of his discussions with the political leaders.

The secretary-general will depart on Oct. 26 for official visits to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and China to discuss UN relations, regional and global issues, as well as UN-Asean cooperation.

Diplomatic sources said Burma, in particular the post-election scenario in the country, would be an issue of deliberations during the entire trip.

Ban, who has been trying hard to push for reform and restoration of democracy in the country, is expected to impress upon Asian leaders the need to forcefully urge the newly elected government in Burma to start a process of true political reform in the country.

Officials said that the new special UN envoy for Burma could be announced after the elections are over. The new government would be consulted before the new appointment is made. The post has been vacant for 10 months.

Ban will begin his trip from Bangkok, where he will meet with the prime minister. With Thailand being host to a large number of Burmese refugees, he is also expected to meet with representatives of the Burmese community living in exile in the country.

He will then travel to Phnom Penh, where he will meet with the prime minister. In Vietnam, he will attend the Asean-UN Summit and meet with Vietnam leaders. The current situation in Burma will be a topic of discussion with the Asean leaders, including a common strategy after a new government in Burma is formed.

From Vietnam, he will travel to Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing where he will meet with the Chinese president, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and other senior government officials.