January 31, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 21, 1429

YANGON (Myanmar): Myanmar’s detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is not satisfied with the progress of her meetings with a representative of the ruling junta, a member of her political party said on Wednesday.

Suu Kyi, allowed a meeting earlier in the day with fellow executives of her National League for Democracy party, conveyed a gloomy assessment of the prospects for political reform, said party spokesman Nyan Win, who also attended.

She asked that they convey to the public the message that: “We should hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We have to be patient as we have sacrificed for many years.”

Following a violent crackdown on anti-regime demonstrations late last year, Western nations and the UN pressed the military to open a sustained dialogue with Suu Kyi to bring about democratic reform.

The junta appointed a ministerial level official, Aung Kyi, to liaise with her, and they have since had a handful of meetings. Suu Kyi met with Aung Kyi again on Wednesday after her meeting with party colleagues.

“What I can say is Daw Suu is not satisfied with the current meetings with the junta, especially the fact that the process is not time-bound,” said Nyan Win.—AP