The Burmese opposition National League for Democracy confirmed yesterday that it had been in secret talks with the military government and said the dialogue appeared already to have achieved some progress.
NLD central executive member U Lwin said the direct talks between the opposition leader, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, and the ruling generals would require patience on both sides so that the momentum of the meetings should not be interrupted.
Opposition members were told of the dialogue in December: "The meeting seemed to have achieved some progress then," U Lwin said. He gave no details.
The United Nations announced on Tuesday that the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Ms Suu Kyi, and the military government in Rangoon had had initial direct talks and were expected to open more substantive discussions in the near future.