UN envoy plans second visit to Burma

United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gambari is preparing for his second visit to Burma since pro-democracy demonstrations erupted there.

Under instructions from Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, he will leave for Thailand this weekend.

He will hold talks with countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China and Japan on Monday "with a view to returning to Myanmar shortly thereafter."

Mr Gambari, who returned from a four-day visit to Burma last week, had originally planned to make a second visit in mid-November.

Meanwhile, according to an anonymous diplomat, the UN Security Council has agreed on a statement deploring the Burmese government's crushing of pro-democracy demonstrations.

The same diplomat said the statement will be issued shortly. It would be the first time the council has taken any action over Burma and marks a shift of position by China, which had previously used its veto to stop the 15-nation body voicing criticism of Burma's ruling military junta.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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