ASEAN chief checks Myanmar's application<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
\nSecretary-General Dato Ajit Singh left for Yangon yesterday at
\nthe invitation of the ruling military regime in Myanmar.<\/p>\n
The ASEAN Secretariat issued a statement saying the purpose of
\nthe visit \"is to look into preparations necessary for Myanmar's
\nentry into ASEAN\".<\/p>\n
This is the first such visit by an ASEAN secretary-general.<\/p>\n
The eight-day visit can be considered a possible precursor to
\nMyanmar's entry into the association next year.<\/p>\n
Formed in 1967, ASEAN comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,
\nthe Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
Myanmar submitted in August an application for membership. It
\ncould join the association along with Cambodia and Laos next
\nyear.<\/p>\n
ASEAN states, however, have been under pressure to review
\ntheir \"constructive engagement\" policy with Yangon whose military
\nregime continues to restrict the prodemocracy movement led by
\nNobel prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.<\/p>\n
While remaining steadfast in their approach and hold firm to
\nthe principle of Myanmar's eventual membership, some member
\nstates have raised questions as to the appropriate time of entry.<\/p>\n
Ajit Singh is accompanied by the ASEAN Secretariat's Afta
\ndirector Suthad Setboonsarng, assistant director Lim Hong Hin and
\nassistant director for external relations Termsak
\nChalermpalanupap.<\/p>\n
The visit is in sharp contrast to Monday's decision taken by
\nthe European Union (EU) in Brussels which imposed visa
\nrestrictions on member's of the ruling regime and other senior
\nofficials of Myanmar.<\/p>\n
The EU has already suspended several bilateral development
\ncooperation agreements with Yangon.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's statement from the ASEAN Secretariat failed to
\nmention whether Ajit Singh and his delegation would raise
\nquestions over human rights concerns. (mds)<\/p>",
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