The military junta's labour minister, Aung Kyi, was chosen a few weeks ago -- after the visit of UN Special Envoy for Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, -- to act as a go-between between Aung San Suu Kyi and the generals.

Direct talks between the Nobel Laureate and the Chairman of Myanmar State Peace and Development Council, as the junta calls itself, are proving to be difficult. General Than Shwe is known to have an intense personal dislike of Aung San Suu Kyi -- the daughter of the national hero of Burmese independence, General Aung San, also a symbol of the democracy movement.

Meanwhile, the UN Special Envoy has ended his talks in China without great success. He has been trying to push Myanmar's neighbours and trade partners into applying more pressure on the generals during his Asia tour. But China is reluctant.

"Complicated affair"

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Li Jianchao said China would continue to play a "constructive role" to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Myanmar but added that "Myanmar is a complicated affair, which reaches far back into the country's history".

"It has to be resolved between the people and the government," he said. "The international community should offer constructive support in a balanced and objective manner and contribute to building trust."

Gambari was left with nothing to do but offer his thanks for China's hospitality. Japan is next on his itinerary. He arrived on Thursday and is expected to meet prime minister Yasuo Fukuda and the foreign minister. And in the first week of November, he plans to go back to Myanmar and meet the generals as well as opposition leaders.

Uncooperative generals

So far the generals don't seem very willing to co-operated with the international community. The religion minister, Brigadier-General Thura Myint Maung, recently defended the brutal suppression of the peaceful protests at the end of September.

At a recent meeting with the government-friendly Monk's Council, he said the demonstrations had been led by the wrong monks. The state newspapers later printed pictures of the general bowing submissively before the monks in an obvious attempt by the junta to pass on the message that the monks are well-disposed towards them once again.

Details of Aung San Suu Kyi's meeting with the junta's liaison officer will surely emerge over the next few days and time will tell if a change comes to Myanmar.