US envoy presses Myanmar in rare talks in Beijing

WASHINGTON, June 28 (Reuters) The top US diplomat for Southeast Asia met ministers from military-run Myanmar this week in Beijing and pressed for the release of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the State Department said today.

The talks in the Chinese capital between Eric John, deputy assistant secretary for East Asia and the Pacific, and three Myanmar ministers reinforced calls for political reforms and a release of political prisoners issued by a special UN enjoy, said State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey.

''It was a frank exchange of views but I don't think we saw anything coming out of them that would indicate, unfortunately, that they had changed their basic opinions,'' Casey said of the meeting, which was held at Myanmar's request.

Casey said the United States has low-level contacts with the isolated junta through the US Embassy in Yangon, but has rejected repeated requests to hold high-level talks in Myanmar unless American envoys are allowed to see Suu Kyi.

The Nobel laureate marked her 62nd birthday on June 19 under the harsh confinement she has suffered for more than 11 of the last 17 years. She has no telephone and is allowed no visitors apart from her maid and doctor.

''Whether there is any broader dialogue with the Burmese government ... depends on their actions, first and foremost on what they are willing to do vis-a-vis Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners,'' Casey said.

John's meetings with Foreign Minister Nyan Win, Information Minister Kyaw Hsan and Culture Minister Khin Aung Nyint aimed at supporting the work of Ibrahim Gambari, a special adviser to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Gambari visited Myanmar twice last year and was allowed to hold rare meetings with Suu Kyi. But the generals who have ruled the impoverished country formerly called Burma since 1962 have rejected all international pleas to free her.

Reuters KK VP0145