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Burma's government says dialogue with opposition continues

Burma's military government has strongly rejected claims its unprecedented dialogue with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has bogged down.

However, there's a near consensus among Western diplomats that the process has stalled .. as Geoff Thompson reports from Rangoon.

Since the secret dialogue was first revealed earlier this year, the term cautious optimism has been the most often used judgement of the process. Now, Western diplomats who previously expressed that view are suggesting the dialogue has stalled. But at the same time, they admit they don't knwo for sure. There are few signs of concrete progress. Burma's state press has stopped its daily rants against Aung San Suu Kyi, but only 30 to 40 of more than 1500 imprisoned NLD members have been released from jail. Also, Risali Ishmayal, the Malaysian UN Envoy who helped start the dialogue, has not been allowed to return. Sensing a change in mood, Burma's Foreign Minister, Win Aung, has publicly defended the dialogue for the first time. He says the talks have not stalled and demanded patience. Geoff Thompson, Rangoon.

1/05/01 10:51:42 | ABC Radio Australia News

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