NEW YORK (Kyodo) U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, who hopes to travel to Myanmar after visiting Japan next week, said Thursday he wants to discuss the release of political prisoners, including democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, with the junta leadership.
While Ban did not pinpoint the dates of his possible visit, which some speculate could occur shortly after he leaves Tokyo next Thursday, he only explained that he is still considering the "appropriate" timing for it.
"It can be soon. It can be also decided at a later stage," he told Japanese reporters ahead of his three-day trip from next Tuesday to Tokyo, where he is expected to meet with Prime Minister Taro Aso and other leaders.