Ibrahim Gambari, the UN’s special envoy to Myanmar, went to the remote bunker-like capital Naypyitaw on Saturday to meet with the junta and stayed overnight, foreign Asian diplomats said.

On Sunday, he returned to Yangon and was whisked to the State Guest House to meet Suu Kyi, who was brought out of the house arrest to see the UN envoy in what appeared to be an unexpected concession by the junta. The meeting with Suu Kyi lasted about 90 minutes, said the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Details of the meeting were not immediately known. Diplomatic effort comes after the military government launched a bloody crackdown last week on demonstrations that first began August 19 to protest a sharp increase in fuel prices.

Over time, thousands of Buddhist monks, who revered in this impoverished country, joined the people in venting anger at decades of brutal military rule. At the height of the protests, some 70,000 people turned out.

Snuffing out dissent
The junta, which has a long history of snuffing out dissent, cracked down on Wednesday and Thursday, opening fire into a crowd of peaceful protesters and arresting scores. Though the official death toll is 10, foreign diplomats and dissident groups say the number is likely much higher. Despite Gambari’s meetings, it was not clear how much influence the junta will allow him to exert on Myanmar’s affairs. The UN has repeatedly failed to bring about a reconciliation between the military government and the pro-democracy Opposition. Gambari and his predecessor, Razali Ismail of Malaysia, have also failed to secure freedom for Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace prize winner who has come to symbolise the struggle for democracy in Myanmar.

Her National League for Democracy party won the 1990 general elections, which the junta called after crushing a much larger pro-democracy movement in 1988. But the party was never allowed to take power.

On Sunday, the number of troops in Yangon, the largest city, swelled to about 20,000 after reinforcements arrived overnight, ensuring that almost all demonstrators would remain off the streets, an Asian diplomat said on condition of anonymity. “The security forces are demonstrating their strength,” he said. “I think the chance of protesters coming to the road and mobilising enough people to topple the junta is zero.” A few monks were seen in a neighbourhood on their customary morning round for alms.

“We are not going to protest any more. Rather we will conduct peaceful protests. We Buddhists believe that dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) will finally win over evil,” said one monk.

1,000 held
People suspected of leading or organising this week’s rallies continue to be arrested, the Asian diplomat said, estimating the total number could be as high as 1,000 including several prominent members of the NLD. They joined an estimated 1,100 other political detainees who have languished in jails since before the current turmoil began.

With the main prison overcrowded, people are now being detained in university buildings and educational institutes, he said.

Monks and residents spoke on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals. “We apologise to foreigners for feeling unsafe ... People in this country are very nice and gentle, but the soldiers are very rough,” said one resident.