Democracy and human rights imperative, say ASEAN partners<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dialog partners of the Association of Southeast
\nAsian Nations (ASEAN) emphasized the importance for democracy and
\nhuman rights yesterday as an imperative prerequisite to regional
\nstability.<\/p>\n
United States Secretary of State Warren Christopher at the
\nopening plenary session of the Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC)
\nsaid the spread of democracy throughout Asia is a critical factor
\nin ensuring peace, stability and continued economic growth.<\/p>\n
"The most stable and prosperous societies will be those where
\ncreative ideas are freely exchanged, where political debates can
\nbe resolved peacefully at the ballot box, where the press can
\nexpose corruption and courts can root it out, and where contracts
\ncan be respected," he said.<\/p>\n
Christopher, along with representatives from other dialog
\npartners, met for the two-day PMC with their ASEAN counterparts.<\/p>\n
Chaired by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas,
\nthe morning's plenary session was attended by all 10 dialog
\npartners and the foreign ministers of the seven ASEAN states.<\/p>\n
Christopher, in his assertion of the need to respect democracy
\nand human rights, questioned the myth that "democracy in Asia
\nmust wait for development." He pointed to countries like the
\nPhilippines where a return to democracy had helped to galvanize
\neconomic renewal.<\/p>\n
"Democracy and development must go hand in hand if either one
\nis to succeed," he said.<\/p>\n
He claimed that the continued suppression of democracy in
\nAsian countries could have powerful destabilizing consequences
\nfor the region as a whole.<\/p>\n
Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy noted that with the
\nrapid pace of growth in the region, "pressures are increasing for
\ndemocratization, centers of influence are shifting and demands
\nfor accountability are growing."<\/p>\n
He said that growth and prosperity requires stability, and
\nstability in one area is affected by instability in another.<\/p>\n
Speaking on democracy and human rights, Warren Christopher
\npointed to what he said were the Myanmarese people's aspirations
\nfor democratic government. He warned that "the longer their
\nwishes are denied the greater the chance of instability,
\nbloodshed, and migration within Burma (Myanmar) and across its
\nborders."<\/p>\n
He then urged ASEAN to encourage its relations with Yangon to
\npromote greater openness.<\/p>\n
ASEAN has rebuffed Western demands for ASEAN to take a tougher
\nstand against Myanmar and maintains that "constructive
\nengagement" with Yangon is more useful.<\/p>\n
Of these conflicting approaches, Christopher said Washington
\nwants to work together with ASEAN, but "we retain the option of
\ntaking a more forceful action as developments in Burma warrant."<\/p>\n
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed
\nCanberra's "serious concern" over Myanmar.<\/p>\n
He said last year there had been encouraging signs with the
\nrelease from house detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu
\nKyi, but added that recent developments have been less
\nencouraging.<\/p>\n
"Our hopes have been frustrated. Instead of new dialog and
\ncompromise we have seen confrontation and refusal to talk,"
\nDowner said, adding that people are fleeing the country because
\nof institutionalized abuse of social, economic and political
\nrights.<\/p>\n
He then called on all nations to urge Myanmar to bring its
\nhuman rights record in line with regionally and internationally
\naccepted standards.<\/p>\n
Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring in front of the ASEAN
\nministers also expressed "deep concern" at the situation in
\nMyanmar adding that the military regime in Yangon "still rules in
\nan unacceptable manner."<\/p>\n
He said he would like to hear ASEAN's views on the matter.<\/p>\n
"The European Union would be grateful to hear the views of
\nASEAN on what is happening in its neighbor country and what, in
\nits view, the best approach should be to achieving national
\nreconciliation in Myanmar," said Spring, who is attending the PMC
\non behalf of the European Union.<\/p>\n
Spring then touched on the issue of East Timor, saying that
\nthe European Union welcomed the meeting between President
\nSoeharto and Portuguese Prime Minister Guterres during the Asia
\nEurope Summit in March.<\/p>\n
"We hope this will help facilitate a settlement of the East
\nTimor question," he said, adding that the European Union has
\nrecently defined the common position of its member states on East
\nTimor.<\/p>\n
The former Portuguese province of East Timor was integrated
\ninto Indonesia in 1976. However, the United Nations still regards
\nLisbon as the administrating power there. (mds)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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