Suu Kyi meets with Govt official

Detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a newly appointed Myanmar government official Thursday, part of a U.N.-brokered attempt to nudge her and the military junta toward reconciliation.

It was the first known meeting between Suu Kyi - under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years - and “minister for relations” retired major general Aung Kyi, who was appointed to the post on Oct. 8 to hold talks with her.

Suu Kyi was driven a few minutes from her home to a government guest house, where she held talks with Aung Kyi between 2 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., state-run television reported, but gave no further details.

Television images showed Suu Kyi and Aung Kyi seated in high-backed chairs having a discussion, a scene that suggested two dignitaries in a meeting rather than someone under house arrest.

With Aung Kyi’s appointment, the junta said it hoped to achieve “smooth relations” with Suu Kyi. Appointing a liaison officer had been suggested by U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari during his Sept. 29-Oct. 2 visit to Myanmar, state media said.

Yangon, Friday, AP