Update: U.N. Envoy To Continue Consultations With Myanmar Leaders

March 6, 2008 7:05 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - The U.N. Secretary-General's special adviser to Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari arrived in Rangoon on Thursday to encourage the nation's military junta to promote democratization and national reconciliation in the troubled South-East Asian nation. This is Gambari's third visit to Myanmar since last year's violent government crackdown on protesters.

Gambari held talks with Myanmar's Minister for Foreign Affairs and met with United Nations diplomats in Rangoon. Over the next few days, he will continue consultations with "a broad range of representatives of Myanmar society, including groups which he was not able to meet during his last visit," U.N. Spokesperson Marie Okabe said.

In February, Myanmar authorities announced a long-awaited constitutional referendum will be held in May, to be followed by "multi-party democratic elections" in 2010.