UN special envoy for Burma Razali Ismail said today he is likely to see jailed Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi tomorrow following intensive talks with the country's two top junta leaders.

Razali said there is a "strong likelihood" that he would be permitted to see the popular opposition leader before he completes his five-day mission to Rangoon.

"I have been given encouraging signs. There is strong likelihood that I would see her tomorrow," said the envoy when contacted today.

It is believed that Razali had initially planned to leave Rangoon today after failing to secure access to Suu Kyi.

Asked if he had contemplated returning to Kuala Lumpur ahead of schedule, he said, "Yes, I had considered it."

It was learnt that Razali had informed his office in Kuala Lumpur of his return today, although his plans were altered after a meeting with key junta leaders.

Razali told malaysiakini that the "combination of meetings" he held over the past four days have contributed to achieving the main purpose of his visit - which was to gain access to Suu Kyi who has been detained incommunicado for the past 10 days.

He said the meetings discussed several issues, in addition to his request to meet with Suu Kyi, but declined to elaborate further.

The UN envoy also said he is awaiting a meeting with Burma's top official, Prime Minister Senior-General Than Shwe.

Prevent back-tracking

Razali was reported to have met with Burma's powerful intelligence chief Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt for an hour-long meeting on Saturday.

Khin Nyunt has been said to be the senior-ranking official in the junta most in favour of engaging with Suu Kyi and her National League of Democracy party.

This morning, Razali also held a three-way meeting with Khin Nyunt and the second most senior official within the Burmese government, army chief General Maung Aye.

According to a Reuters report this afternoon, Razali has been scheduled to meet with Than Shwe ( photo ) tomorrow.

Razali left Kuala Lumpur for Rangoon with one of the strongest bargaining chip he has held since he started brokering talks between the junta and the political opposition led by Suu Kyi three years ago.

The envoy had indicated that his orders also included initiatives to prevent any back-tracking by Rangoon over their commitment to hold much-delayed talks with Suu Kyi.

Last Wednesday, the envoy was directed by the UN specifically to insist on seeing Suu Kyi during his visit to Rangoon to verify reports that she was injured during a violent confrontation between her supporters and pro-government protesters.

The Burmese military has maintained that Suu Kyi and her supporters are being held in "protective custody" following clashes which killed four and injured 50 during a visit by the opposition leader to the country's northern region.

However, unofficial estimates placed the death toll as high as 70.

Asean policy tested

Observers have noted that the turn of events has refocused international attention on the political quagmire in Burma and pressed home the non-viability of a continued impasse between the two sides.

In addition to the regular voices calling for a start to the dialogue, Asean governments are now also hard pressed to respond to Razali's call on the eve of his departure for more involvement in the political process, as opposed to their passive role previously.

Although the United States and several European governments have called for sanctions to be imposed on Burma, the move has not been supported by regional governments who have indicated their preferred for a policy of 'constructive engagement'.

This policy is likely to be severely tested as governments supportive of Suu Kyi's pro-democracy stance prepare to widen sanctions.