RANGOON: Amid signs that significant change in Myanmar may emerge in the next few weeks, divisions within the military leadership over the dialogue process could delay any efforts to move the country toward democracy.

This week's visit to the South-east Asian country by UN special envoy to Myanmar, Razali Ismail, may prove to be the catalyst in resolving the country's political deadlock.

"I think the prime minister is truly committed to taking this process to a transition to democracy," Razali said on Thursday at the end of his three-day mission to Rangoon. "I believe (Prime Minister Gen) Khin Nyunt now feels he can establish a working relationship with Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy."

Khin Nyunt is committed to taking his country toward democracy and the detained pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is prepared to support him, according to Razali.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who is still under house arrest, is prepared to work with the prime minister, said the UN envoy who met her twice during his visit to Rangoon. "She told me she is prepared to turn a new page," said Razali, "and is looking forward to being free and working with the prime minister to move the national reconciliation process forward."

"I hope to see Aung San Suu Kyi free soon, maybe in a matter of weeks from now," Razali added. UN sources say no date was given for her release, but there is an expectation on both sides that this will happen around the Water Festival in mid-April - the festival that marks the Burmese New Year. "It's an informal deadline," said Razali.

In August, Gen Khin Nyunt, shortly after he became prime minister, announced a seven-stage road map to democracy. Since then, there has been little movement on what is described as the national reconciliation process - apart from the start of peace talks with the ethnic rebel group, the Karen.

While Razali expressed optimism again that the Burmese military leaders are now poised to move forward, the UN envoy was not given any timetable for the future political process. "The government may not have given Mr Razali any dates, but they will have given him some understanding of the steps that would be involved," said a senior Asian diplomat in Rangoon.

The first step is certain to be for Aung San Suu Kyi to be allowed to meet with the other NLD leaders, three of whom are still under house arrest here. "This is likely to happen soon if it hasn't already," said a Rangoon-based diplomat. "This would be followed by the release of more political prisoners, including the NLD leaders, and the reopening of the party's offices throughout the country."

These signs appear to point to what some call Aung San Suu Kyi's cooperation with Khin Nyunt, including participating in the National Convention - part of the roadmap to democracy expected to start in months and to restart the process of drafting a new Constitution.

Five months ago, when Razali last visited Rangoon, the opposition leader told him she was prepared to work with Gen Khin Nyunt on this road map. Now, according to Razali, she is prepared to establish what she called "a harmonious relationship with the prime minister".

The real problem though remains whether Gen Khin Nyunt has the authority to press on with his road map. There is a major division between the top Burmese leaders over how fast to proceed with the national reconciliation process and what role, if any, Aung San Suu Kyi should play.-Dawn/The InterPress News Service.