The United Nations Secretary-General's special adviser for Burma says he expects to return to the country "sooner rather than later."

聯合國秘書長的緬甸事務特使易卜拉欣.甘巴里說，他預計不久就會重新訪問緬甸。

U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari says he is optimistic he will be able to return to Burma, "way before April."

他說，他對能在4月份之前返回緬甸感到樂觀：

"You will recall the authorities there said they will receive me after the middle of April, after April 15," Gambari said. "But I think I have reason to believe they are reconsidering."

“緬甸當局曾經說過，他們將在4月15號之后會見我。不過我現在有理由認為，他們正在重新考慮。”

On Tuesday, Gambari completed two days of meetings with Chinese officials. He says he consulted with Chinese officials on how best to move forward in encouraging political reform in Burma.

甘巴里星期二結束了跟中國官員的會晤。他說，他和中國官員探討了鼓勵緬甸進行政治改革的最佳方式的問題：

"The Chinese government has been helpful in helping on my access, including encouraging the [Burmese] authorities to receive me as often as possible," Gambari said.

“中國政府一直在為我訪問緬甸提供幫助，其中包括鼓勵緬甸當局盡可能多地讓我進入緬甸。”

Gambari last visited Burma in November, several weeks after the military government crushed mass demonstrations calling for democracy and political reform.

甘巴里最后一次訪問緬甸是在去年11月，在那之前的幾個星期，緬甸軍政府剛剛鎮壓了一場要求民主與政治改革的大規模民眾抗議示威。

He says the Burmese government's new plans for a May referendum on a new constitution, and for general elections in 2010 are "a significant step" toward democratic reform.

甘巴里說，緬甸5月舉行憲法公決，并在2010年舉行大選的新計劃是邁向民主改革的重要一步。

But he calls on the ruling generals to make sure the referendum is credible for the Burmese people and the international community. That would include, he says, releasing political prisoners, such as opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent years under house arrest. In addition, he says, the government needs to allow the public and the opposition to freely comment about the draft constitution.

甘巴里呼吁軍人統治者確保憲法公決對緬甸人民和國際社會來說具有可信度。他說，那將包括釋放政治犯，比如已經被軟禁多年的反對派領袖昂山素季。另外，甘巴里說，緬甸政府必須允許公眾和反對派人士對憲法草案自由發表意見。

Many critics say the referendum and election will do little to bring reform to the country, as it appears the draft constitution allows the military to retain significant control.

很多批評人士說，全民公決以及選舉看起來都不會給緬甸帶來什么改革，因為憲法草案允許軍人繼續掌握實權。

The military has ruled Burma since the early 1960s. It has become one of the poorest and most isolated countries in Asia. The United States, the European Union and other nations have imposed economic sanctions on the government, to push the military to allow democratic reforms.

自從1960年代初以來軍人一直統治緬甸。現在緬甸已經成為亞洲最貧窮、最受孤立的國家之一。美國、歐洲聯盟和其他國家向軍人政權實行了經濟制裁，以推動軍人讓緬甸進行民主改革。

Burma's Southeast Asian neighbors, along with China and India, however, have argued that political engagement and trade are better than sanctions in bringing reform.

不過中國和印度以及緬甸的東南亞鄰國認為，推動緬甸實行改革更有效的方式是政治參與和貿易，而不是制裁。

The U.N. envoy next travels to Indonesia, Singapore and Japan to discuss Burma.

聯合國特使甘巴里將前往印度尼西亞、新加坡和日本討論緬甸問題。

At a regular briefing, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman told reporters Beijing wants to see democracy, peace and stability in Burma, but opposes the use of economic sanctions to pressure the government.

中國外交部發言人在新聞發布會上對記者說，北京希望看到緬甸的民主、和平和穩定，但是反對利用經濟制裁向緬甸政府施壓。