Inside source

Inside source: Talks in Rangoon a long way from being negotiations

A recent visitor from Burma told S.H.A.N. reports that present talks in Rangoon between opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and junta are making headway were just speculations. 

The source, who requested "no names, please", dismissed a report that appeared on 25 May in Asiaweek about the six "talking points", saying, "It's still in the stage of confidence-building. Negotiations have not begun." 

The six points, according to Asiaweek, were: 

"1. A new Council of Ministers will act as a transitional government before elections within three to five years. It will comprise civilians and military men.

2. Suu Kyi will not be a member of the new council, but may join the future elected bicameral government - perhaps as its leader. 

3. During the transition period the two sides, plus representatives of the ethnic minorities, will finalize a new constitution.

4. The constitution will guarantee the military up to 25% of seats in parliament.

5. Ethnic minorities will be given very limited autonomy.

6. Generals will be given an amnesty for any abuses committed after 1988." 

Asiaweek correspondent, Roger Mitton, upon inquiry, conceded: "I can't say if it is true or not." 
The source also denied the UN team, led by Razali Ismail, was "a mediator". "It is merely serving in a facilitating capacity," he said. 

The Malaysian-born UN diplomat, was reported to have brought with him two messages: 
There is no alternative to National Reconciliation; 

There must be a Tripartitie Dialogue (between Rangoon, the Democratic opposition and the non-Burman forces). 

According to the source, so far there has been no "yes or no" from the military authorities, but the lady was positive from the beginning, saying, "There can be no national reconciliation without tripartite dialogue." 

The source added that although no one knew how long the confidence-building process would take, he believed the UN would continue to push for progress. 

Razali Ismail is due to arrive in Rangoon on a 4-day visit on 27 August