SINGAPORE, Nov 8: Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi said she is “ready to cooperate” with the ruling junta, according to a message read by UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari on Friday.

“In the interest of the nation, I stand ready to cooperate with the government in order to make this process of dialogue a success,” Aung San Suu Kyi said.

The detained Nobel laureate also welcomed the role played by the United Nations “to help facilitate our efforts in this regard.” It is the first time Aung San Suu Kyi has said she will work with the junta since she was put under house arrest in 2003.

Gambari read her message to reporters at a midnight press conference in a Singapore hotel shortly after returning from his latest trip to Yangon, during which he met with the opposition leader.

Aung San Suu Kyi welcomed the appointment last month of Labour Minister Aung Kyi as the government’s go-between with the opposition. She said her meeting with Aung Kyi on Oct 25 was constructive and she looked forward to regular discussions.

“I expect that this phase of preliminary consultations will conclude soon so that a meaningful and time-bound dialogue with the (government) leadership can start as early as possible,” she said in the statement read by Gambari.

Aung San Suu Kyi said in any dialogue with the junta, she would be “guided by the policies and wishes” of her political party, the National League for Democracy, but would also need to consult with other groups.

“In this time of vital need for democratic solidarity and national unity, it is my duty to give constant and serious consideration to the interest and opinion of as broad a range of political organisations and forces as possible, in particular those of our ethnic nationality races,” she said.

“Through the end, I am committed to pursue the path of dialogue constructively and invite the government and all relevant parties to join me in this spirit.” Aung San Suu Kyi also thanked “all those who have stood by my side all this time, both inside and outside my country” as well as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Gambari said a dialogue involving various groups in Myanmar “is a key instrument in promoting an all-inclusive national reconciliation and the goals that we all share, which are peace, prosperity, democracy and full respect for human rights.” Earlier on Thursday, Myanmar’s junta announced a meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and her pro-democracy party, hours after Gambari wrapped up his visit.

Aung San Suu Kyi will also meet with Aung Kyi on Friday.

—AFP