EU's special envoy for Myanmar Piero Fassino meets Thai FM

(29 Jan 2008) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of Piero Fassino, European Union Special Envoy to Myanmar shaking hands with Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram
2. Close of Thai officials watching
3. Close of Fassino talking
4. Mid of Nitya talking
5. Officials walk to microphone
6. EU official listening
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Piero Fassino, European Union Special Envoy to Myanmar:
"The first meeting between the lady Aung San Suu Kyi and the representative of the junta of Myanmar was very, very important. But now it's necessary to open new phases, more constructive, more concrete. I think it's necessary to open, really, dialogue between the junta and the opposition and all different sectors of Myanmar society. And in this direction I hope that Mr. Gambari can visit Myanmar as soon as possible."
8. Nitya listening to Fassino next to EU official
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Piero Fassino, European Union Special Envoy to Myanmar:
"After 5th July Thailand will be the president of ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations). And we consider the ASEAN can play a positive role in the Myanmar negotiation. We appreciate that the decision of ASEAN in the summit in Singapore adopted a charter in which underlined the importance of the respect of human rights, of democracy, in all countries in the region and in the organisation. This charter is an important point of reference to build a positive solution to the crisis in Myanmar."
10. EU official listening
11. Media member listening
12. Nitya finishes and walks away from microphone, zoom out
STORYLINE:
The European Union's special envoy to Myanmar met with Thailand's foreign minister on Tuesday, as part of an Asian diplomatic tour aimed at encouraging political negotiations in the country formerly known as Burma.
Piero Fassino said that a first meeting between democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi and the ruling junta in Myanmar was a good first step, but that further steps need to be taken.
He also called on State Peace and Development Council, as the government is known, to admit United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari.
Gambari made a visit to the country after the crackdown on demonstrators in September last year led to numerous deaths and detentions.
The United Nations Special Envoy asked to come back this month, but was told "that it's not convenient and they will prefer mid-April" by the government in Napidaw.
"I think it's necessary to open, really, dialogue between the junta and the opposition and all different sectors of Myanmar society. And in this direction I hope that Mr. Gambari can visit Myanmar as soon as possible," Fassino said.
Fassino also talked about the importance of the European Union working with the countries of Southeast Asia, especially Thailand to try and effect negotiations.
On his trip he has stopped in Beijing and moves on to New Delhi and Jakarta as well.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...