The UN special envoy to Burma, Razali Ismail today expressed optimism for the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. He however offered no details but said talks with the military junta to secure her release have been encouraging.

"The negotiations went on well and as the UN special envoy, we have hopes that there would be good developments next year," Razali told reporters during a media brief in Kuala Lumpur on the One Asia Assembly conference to be held next year.

Razali went to Burma on Nov 27 and returned last week after holding talks with the military junta. He also met with Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace prize laureate, and members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

"I am satisfied with the discussions I have had and some of the best negotiations in the world are from closed-door dialogues. Open dialogues don't get very good results, so be patient and you would get the results," Razali said.

Razali has made six visits to Burma to solder ties between the military junta and NLD since June 2000.

In 1990, the NLD won a landslide victory when it secured 80 percent of votes during the general elections. However, this was followed by a harsh armed reaction from the military which placed the State Law and Order Restoration Council in control of the country.

Key opposition leader Suu Kyi who has been held under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, was again placed under house detention in September 2000. She won the Nobel peace prize for her commitment to human rights and democracy.

Suu Kyi may be among the guests to the two-day Asia One Assembly conference to be held Aug 12 next year.

Dream speaker

Meanwhile, chairperson of the Malaysian branch of the Press Foundation of Asia, A Kadir Jasin told reporters, "It is our dream to have Suu Kyi speak to us. Even if she cannot attend the conference, we hope that she would to talk to us electronically."

According to him, the conference entitled 'Society, government and new realities' would discuss how the press could play a deeper role in the emergence of Asia.

"We will try to approach it in a multi-disciplinary way, calling on journalists, social scientists, statespersons as well as members of non-governmental organisations.

"We would also be discussing the role of the media before and after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks on Malaysia," Kadir said.

When asked if the conference would be discussing the issue of press freedom, he said that although the subject would not be discussed specifically, the role of the press would definitely be discussed.