The United Nations has expressed its concern over Friday's arrest of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in northern Burma after a violent confrontation broke out between her supporters and opponents.

In a statement prepared late yesterday, a UN spokesperson said secretary-general Kofi Annan is "following closely, and with concern" the developments in Burma, taking place just a week before the scheduled visit of an UN envoy to Rangoon.

Four dead, fifty injured

"The secretary-general is following closely, and with concern, the situation in Myanmar (*formerly known as Burma) after the government announced o­n Saturday that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and several other leaders of the National League of Democracy were taken into 'protective custody' after clashes reportedly broke out between her supporters and pro-government protesters in northern Myanmar," said the statement.

"He believes that the latest development underline the urgent need for national reconciliation in Myanmar and renews his calls o­n the two sides to start their substantive dialogue as soon as possible."

The statement also reiterated the secretary-general's "readiness" to help facilitate the national reconciliation process via the services of his special envoy for Burma, Razali Ismail, who is due to arrive Yangon next Friday for a five-day mission.

Yesterday, a representative of the Burmese government announced that Suu Kyi has been placed under the temporary custody of local authorities at an unknown location following the clashes in the town of Ye U, outside of Mandalay, which killed four and injured over 50 persons.

The military spokesperson, Brig-Gen Than Tun reportedly said eight motor vehicles and nine motorcycles were destroyed during the Friday night melee. He also accused NLD members of setting fire to at least o­ne of the vehicles.

Suu Kyi had been o­n a month-long political tour of Myanmar's northern areas to rally supporters and to open new NLD offices in the northern parts of the country.

However, tension has surrounded her trips as her supporters clashed repeatedly with members of the junta-sponsored Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA).

Stalled talks

When contacted, Razali declined to comment o­n the incident in view of his upcoming trip to Rangoon but a source close to the envoy said the situation will be watched closely until more information of the incident can be obtained.

"Obviously, the UN is monitoring the situation. We are concerned and we are also keen to find out the whereabouts of (Suu Kyi) as soon as possible," said the source.

Razali is due to make his tenth visit to Burma to kick-start national reconciliation talks between the military government and the country's political opposition.

Although the envoy successfully brokered for the release of Suu Kyi from house arrest just over a year ago, talks between the two sides have failed to materialise according to plan.

The opposition leader's frustration became evident last month when she openly criticised the junta for refusing to start serious talks.

Tensions built further last week when ten members of the pro-democracy movement were sentenced to stiff jail sentences last week for organising public protests and being involved in clandestine activities.

Meetings outside Burma

An observer of Southeast Asian politics, Dr Chandran Jeshurun said, however, the latest turn of events is unlikely the derail Razali's plans this time around.

"I don't think the Burmese military can afford to go back to the scenario last year (by putting Suu Kyi under house arrest). I think things will calm down by the time Razali leaves for Rangoon," he said.

The military cannot afford to make a scene now. Suu Kyi must be able to meet with Razali when he arrives next week," he added.

Chandran said despite the gloomy view of many Burma observers, some progress has been made recently towards the a start of the long-awaited reconciliation talks.

"From what I have heard, there has been some progress. Some of the military officers and the NLD members have been talking but they do it o­n neutral ground outside of Burma.

"I am confident that Razali may make some progress soon," he added.


[*Note: Since 1989, Burma was renamed Myanmar by the military government. However, many (including malaysiakini) have not embraced the name change as the decision was made by an illegal and illegitimate government.]