ABC News

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ABC News
3rd August 1999

Secrecy surrounds Human Rights Commissioner's Burma visit 

Human Rights Commissioner Chris Sidoti is expected to leave Burma today,
after meeting senior officials from both sides of the political divide.

Mr Sidoti met political and military leaders to discuss the creation of an
independent human rights commission.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced the visit last week saying Burma
was showing real interest in the idea of an independent commission based on
the human rights body created in Indonesia.

But the visit by Mr Sidoti has been veiled in secrecy. Australian diplomats
in Rangoon refused to release any details.

An embassy spokesman says the visit is a matter for Mr Sidoti's office, not
foreign affairs.

Mr Sidoti is believed to have met with senior leaders from both the
opposition and from the military, and with the head of Burma's public
service.