U.N.'s Ban rebukes Myanmar generals

By Louis Charbonneau

YANGON (Reuters) - U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon rebuked Myanmar's generals on Saturday for denying him a visit to see detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and said she should be allowed to take part in politics before 2010 elections.

The U.N. Secretary-General expressed "deep disappointment" at the end of a two-day visit to the military-ruled state.

In a rare speech in Yangon to a crowd of about 500 diplomats, state officials, non-governmental organisations and opposition politicians, Ban sharply criticised Myanmar for its human rights record and its failure to free political prisoners.

"Allowing a visit to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would have been an important symbol of the government's willingness to embark on the kind of meaningful engagement that will be essential if the elections in 2010 are to be seen as credible," Ban said.

"I'm deeply disappointed that they rejected my request. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi must be allowed to participate in the political process without further delay."

There was no applause during Ban's speech but his rebuke of the generals in front of a local audience prompted murmurs throughout the crowd at Yangon's Drug Elimination Museum.

Criticism of the authorities is rare in Myanmar and dissent is harshly dealt with by the generals, with rights activists, politicians and even comedians among those given long jail terms.

Ban waited overnight in Myanmar's isolated new capital Naypyidaw only to have junta supremo Than Shwe shoot down his request, saying Suu Kyi was on trial and the country's rulers did not want to be seen to interfere with the judicial process.