The United Nations special envoy to Burma says that country's foreign minister has refused to meet with him on the sidelines of this week's Association of Southeast Asian Nations ministerial meeting in Laos.
Razali Ismail says Foreign Minister Nyan Win told him in a message that he would be "too busy" during this week's conference.
Mr. Razali met separately Monday with the foreign ministers of Thailand and the Philippines. He is hoping the ASEAN nations can convince Rangoon to let him return to Burma, which he last visited in 2004.
The UN envoy is pushing for reconciliation between Burma's military rulers and pro-democracy forces let by Aung San Suu Kyi.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.