MEMBERS of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations welcomed the visit last week by United Nations envoy Mr Ibrahim Gambari to Myanmar to assess the democratic transition process and discuss providing humanitarian assistance.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Mr Gambari in Bangkok on November 13, one day after the envoy concluded his four-day visit to Myanmar, Thai Foreign Minister Mr Nitya Pibulsonggram said his country supported the UN’s diplomatic initiatives in Myanmar.

“As we are members of ASEAN, we see it as a domestic issue. But we support the UN’s role to bring positive development to the country,” Mr Nitya was quoted as saying by Malaysia’s state-owned Bernama news agency.

Singapore, another influential member of ASEAN, also hailed the visit, saying it marked a new stage in the development of a dialogue between Myanmar and the UN.

“This is an important opportunity for Myanmar authorities. We hope that Myanmar will continue to work closely with the UN,” a Singapore Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement issued November 13. “It is important that Mr Gambari be able to report substantive and concrete progress in at least some areas.”

Speaking to reporters in Bangkok on November 13, Mr Gambari, who also serves as the UN undersecretary general for political affairs, said he hoped his latest visit as well as trips to Myanmar by previous envoys would result in institutionalisation of contact between the two parties, Bernama reported.

The visit included a meeting between Mr Gambari and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and senior members of the SPDC in Nay Pyi Taw on November 11.

A UN statement issued after the meeting said Mr Gambari had “frank and extensive dialogue covering a range of political and humanitarian issues” at the meeting, which was also attended by Vice Chairman of the SPDC Vice Senior General Maung Aye, senior SPDC member General Thura Shwe Mann and Prime Minister General Soe Win.

The statement said Mr Gambari also met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other officials from the National League for Democracy, as well as members of the diplomatic corps based in Yangon.

The visit also included a study tour on November 10 to the National Convention at the government-owned Nyaunghnapin resort, located about 35 kilometres (22 miles) northwest of Yangon, where more than 1000 delegates are holding discussions to draft a new constitution.

Among the topics Mr Gambari discussed with convention delegates was the provision of humanitarian assistance by the world body to Myanmar, a separate UN statement issued on November 10 said.

Before leaving Yangon for Bangkok on November 12, Mr Gambari said he was “very satisfied” with the discussions he had during the visit.