AN influential American businessman has hosted a luncheon in New York for two senior Myanmar diplomats to express his support for closer ties between Washington and Yangon.

Mr. David Rockefeller, who is associated with some of the most power- ful members of the United States government, hosted the luncheon late last month for Myanmar's ambassador to the US, U Linn Myaing, and its ambassador to the United Nations, U Kyaw Tint Swe.

The wives of the two ambassadors and the UN Under Secretary-General, Mr. Verner Reed, also attended the luncheon, along with several of Mr. Rockefeller's associates who accompanied him on a 10-day visit to Myanmar in January.

Mr. Rockefeller said at the luncheon that he encouraged engagement between the US and Myanmar, a source who attended the event told Myanmar Times last week.

He also pledged to do what he could to improve bilateral relations, said the source.

Mr. Rockefeller expressed support for visits to Myanmar by foreign tourists, the source said.

He commented on the difference between his experience of Myanmar during the visit earlier this year and the way the country is portrayed in the foreign media.

The source said Mr. Rockefeller had been impressed by how safe he had felt in Myanmar, especially after reading reports that suggested the contrary, said the source.

Mr. Rockefeller used the luncheon to express gratitude to the Myanmar government for the hospitality he enjoyed during his visit. He also thanked Mr. Reed, who first suggested that he visit Myanmar.

Mr. Rockefeller has long been an advocate of closer ties between the US and Cuba and had also worked to encourage engagement between Washington and the former Soviet Union. - Kimberly Fielding