Malaysia Hopes Junta Will Restore Democracy

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Monday that member countries of Asean continued to hope for reform in Burma but recognized that it would take time.

The official Malaysian news agency, Bernama, quoted Syed Hamid as saying Burma's ASEAN fellow members "have expressed commitment to democracy."

"The thing is that they are apprehensive about how democracy can flourish if not enough preparation is done, especially to ensure political stability and national security," he said.

The comments by the minister, who visited Burma on an ASEAN fact-finding mission in March 2006, came as ASEAN drafts its new charter, which is expected to include detailed references to democracy and human rights, and may drop the clause relating to non-interference in other member countries' affairs.

Syed Hamid, however, said that the proposed charter would not focus particularly on the Burma issue. He rejected any talk of expelling Burma from the 10-member bloc:

"To compel Myanmar [Burma] is difficult as it is a free and sovereign country," he said. "We have to use this approach (coaxing them) although it may take some time to influence the leaders there."

ASEAN's relations with its trade partners have often turned sour in light of its failure to effectively deal with issues such as human rights violations in military-ruled Burma, which have been condemned by the US and European countries.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday are expected to renew sanctions against Burma, which include restrictions on travel by Burmese officials and prevent investment there.

Source: The Irrawaddy

(ASEAN - Association of South East Asian Nations)

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.

Last Modified: Saturday, 12-May-2007 10:14:33 EST
This page: http://apheda.org.au/campaigns/burma_campaign/news/1177564555_2265.html