United Nations envoy Razali Ismail left Rangoon after completing his five-day mission with a message that he expects Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be released from 'protective custody' within two weeks.

Razali, who achieved his main goal of meeting with Suu Kyi to check on her well-being, said he is still required to press home the international community's insistence for her to be as free to move around as she was before her arrest two weeks ago.

Cancelled meeting

"I think the point has been made. The international community wants (the government) to free her. I have pushed for her release but they have not given me a definite date," he said when contacted today.

"I have told the government that they should call me back within one to two weeks."

Razali said his meeting today with Suu Kyi found her healthy and that "the allegations (that she had been injured) were absolutely untrue".

The envoy also refuted reports that National League of Democracy (NLD) vice-chairperson Tin Oo was injured or had possibly died during the violence last week, saying again that the allegations were "not true".

On his meetings this morning, Razali said his appointment to meet with Burmese Prime Minister Senior-General Than Shwe was cancelled as the junta leader "was not in Yangon".

Asked why Than Shwe had decided against seeing him, the envoy said, "I have no idea but I had a good meeting with General Maung Aye.

"There is an understanding (within the government) of the need to move the (national reconciliation) process along."

After Than Shwe, army chief General Maung Aye is the most powerful leader within the Burmese junta.

During his visit, Razali also met several times with Burmese intelligence chief, Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, another influential leader.

Unfinished work

Razali's success in gaining access to Suu Kyi would come as a welcome relief to governments keenly watching developments in Burma.

Midway through his trip, the envoy had considered ending his Rangoon mission a day early after his requests to see her were met with resistance from the government.

His plans were reversed after a three-way meeting with Maung Aye and Khin Nyunt during which the envoy secured "encouraging signs " that he would be permitted to meet with Suu Kyi.

The UN envoy arrived in Rangoon last Friday to engage in intensive negotiation with the Burmese government for access to Suu Kyi after the government placed her under 'protective custody' at a secret location.

Amidst the uncertainty, various reports claimed that she had sustained head injuries during a violent confrontation between her supporters and opponents which killed at least four and injured 50 others. Unofficial estimates place the death toll as high as 70 persons.

Over the past two weeks, scores of governments concerned with the re-arrest of Suu Kyi had applied increasing pressure on Burma to release her. The United States has also threatened widening sanctions on Burma unless Suu Kyi is released.