Senior UN Official in Burma for talks

A fresh attempt to break the political deadlock in Burma has begun, with the arrival in the country of the special United Nations envoy, Alvaro do Soto.

He's to have three days of talks with the military government and opposition leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mr Do Soto is expected to urge the two sides to begin talks; UN sources said he would concentrate on political rather than human rights issues.

Last month, the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, met the Burmese leader, General Than Shwe, to press for free elections and human rights improvements.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service