UN Chief Meets Aung San Suu Kyi for First Time

NNN---UN secretary-general Ban ki Moon (left), together with Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, meet the media at the entrance to Suu Kyi’s lakeside villa in Yangon where the two earlier, meeting in person for the first time, held an hour-long talks May 1,2012. Ban praised Suu Kyi for backing down over a boycott of Parliament which had threatened to stall the fragile reform process. In an uncharacteristic retreat, Suu Kyi announced April 30, 2012 that her National League for Democracy (NLD) party would take its seats in parliament -- dominated by the military and its political allies -- and pledged to "safeguard" the army-created constitution. Suu Kyi, who won a seat in historic April 1 by-elections, is now expected to take the oath May 2, 2012. The UN Chief, who became the first visiting foreigner to address Myanmar's legislature April 30, 2012, also hailed the reformist efforts of President Thein Sein and pledged to support Myanmar's government through its transition democracy. Photo courtesy YPI---NNN

YANGON (NNN-Xinhua) -- Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon met with Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar's National League for Democrcy (NLD), for the first time at her lakeside residence here Tuesday, the last day of Ban's three-day official visit to the country.

Ban hailed Suu Kyi's efforts to advance democracy in Myanmar, congratulating her for being elected as a parliamentarian and admiring her decision to prepare for parliament debut despite oath word issue.

He voiced UN's support of the process to improve democracy and human rights which might be difficult and be irreversible.

He invited Suu Kyi to visit UN headquarters in New York at appropriate time.

Ban arrived Myanmar on Sunday for the historic visit in light of significant changes taking place in the country.

While in Nay Pyi Taw Monday, Ban met with President U Thein Sein and speakers of the two Houses Thura U Shwe Mann and U Khin Aung Myint.

They discussed a wide range of issues relating to promotion of cooperation between the UN and Myanmar.

An agreement was signed between the UN and Myanmar on providing the latter with technical assistance and helping mobilize financial support for the country's first census since 1983. --NNN-XINHUA