Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has told the visiting Burmese prime minister that she is concerned by the continued detention of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Ms. Arroyo hosted a closed-door meeting with Lieutenant-General Soe Win in Manila Monday.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye told reporters that the president has consistently expressed concern over the detention, and the fact that she brought it up was a signal that she hopes democratic reforms will take place soon in Burma.
Mr. Bunye said Prime Minister Soe Win assured the Philippine president that a "road map for democratization" is being implemented to transform Burma into what he called a "disciplined democratic nation."
Ms. Arroyo has opposed economic sanctions against the junta.
Information for this report is provided by AFP and Reuters.
