UN envoy to meet junta head for Suu Kyi’s release

A UN envoy visiting Myanmar to secure the release of Aung Saan Suu Kyi will meet the head of the ruling junta today, an aide to the envoy said, in what may be a final bid to see the detained Nobel laureate.

The junta stepped up its criticism of Suu Kyi yesterday, blaming her for a deadly clash between her supporters and those of the junta on May 30 that sparked international concern over whether the pro-democracy leader had been injured.

The aide to United Nations envoy Razali Ismail said the junta's leader, Senior General Than Shwe, was out of Yangon but was expected back in time for the planned meeting today.