UN envoy sees progress on Burma

Mr Gambari met pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week

United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari says progress is being made in talks with Burma's military leaders.

Mr Gambari told the Security Council that while his recent visit had not achieved all its objectives, there had been "positive outcomes" from the trip.

Western diplomats, however, voiced doubt over the regime's commitment to meaningful dialogue.

Mr Gambari's assessment came ahead of a major gem auction in Rangoon - a key source of revenue for the junta.

Rights groups have called for a boycott of the two-week sale.

'Substantive dialogue'

Mr Gambari has just concluded his second visit to Burma since troops violently suppressed anti-government protests in September.

The UN envoy - who was not allowed to meet top leader General Than Shwe - described the situation as "qualitatively different from what it was a few weeks ago".

We do not believe that a fundamental shift has occurred in the regime's attitude to embrace substantive reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad US envoy to the UN

"On balance, the positive outcomes of this latest mission show that the government of Myanmar (Burma)... can be responsive to the concerns of the international community," he said.

After his visit, detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed to issue a statement for the first time in over four years and to meet members of her party. She also held a second meeting with a junta-appointed military liaison.

Mr Gambari said that he hoped a process was in place that would lead to "substantive dialogue with concrete outcomes " and urged the government to release Ms Suu Kyi.

Several Western diplomats, however, voiced scepticism over the commitment of Burma's leaders to a genuine dialogue process.

"We do not believe that a fundamental shift has occurred in the regime's attitude to embrace substantive reconciliation and transition to democracy," US envoy to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad said.

The BBC's Laura Trevelyan, at the UN, says Security Council diplomats are divided over whether the Burmese government is genuinely committed to change or just playing for time by pretending to engage with the UN and Aung San Suu Kyi.

'Quick cash'

Thousands of gem buyers are expected at the sale

Meanwhile in Rangoon, a major auction of precious stones is expected to attract hundreds of international dealers.

Burma is one of the world's biggest producers of jade and gems such as rubies.

But human rights groups say they are mined using forced labour and their export helps fund the junta.

"The sale of these gems gives Burma's military rulers quick cash to stay in power," said Arvind Ganesan of Human Rights Watch in a statement.

The group called for sanctions on Burma's gem trade - but most of the buyers expected to attend are from Asian nations such as Thailand and China which oppose sanctions against Burma.