Myanmar Denies UN Chief's Request to See Suu Kyi

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks with officials as he is welcomed upon his arrival at a...

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks with officials as he is welcomed upon his arrival at a hotel Friday, July 3, 2009 in Yangon, Myanmar. Ban said he would lobby Myanmar's junta chief directly Friday for the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, acknowledging that his high-profile mission will be "very difficult." (AP Photo/Khin Mang Win)

(AP)

Ban also met with ethnic minority groups and leaders of 34 political parties, including senior members of Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, who were driven to Naypyitaw, senior U.N. officials said.

Human Rights Watch urged Ban to make the trip "meaningful" after years of failed U.N. attempts to win Suu Kyi's freedom and promote democratic reforms. Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962.

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"Time and again, the U.N. has politely requested Aung San Suu Kyi's release, but her 'release' back to house arrest would be a huge failure," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. "(Ban) should make it clear that the time for stalling and playing games is over and that real change is needed now."

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