Myanmar needs Suu Kyi for credible talks, neighbors say<\/p>\n
Agencies
\nBangkok, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Myanmar's neighbors stepped up calls for the release of
\ndemocracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, saying her role in
\nconstitutional talks was key to giving the process credibility.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, which now chairs the 10-nation regional bloc, on
\nWednesday criticized Myanmar's decision to go ahead with
\nconstitutional talks without involving Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-
\ndemocracy opposition.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia expresses its concern that the National Convention
\nand the existing process of democratization and national
\nreconciliation in Myanmar is considered as falling short of an
\nexpectation widely shared by the international community,\" the
\nministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\"Hence, we would very much like to see that the government of
\nMyanmar could, within the spirit of reconciliation, consider the
\nparticipation of all the groups concerned,\" it said.<\/p>\n
\"We would also very much like to see the realization of the
\ncommitment on the part of the government of Myanmar to release
\nAung San Suu Kyi, so that she can contribute positively to the
\nprocess of implementation of the roadmap and thereby ensure the
\ncredibility of the process of democratization...,\" it said.<\/p>\n
Thailand has formally asked Yangon to explain the absence of
\nSuu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) from talks touted
\nby the junta as the first step towards democracy.<\/p>\n
Myanmar's normally non-interfering neighbors are embarrassed
\nby the junta, which takes over the chair of the Association of
\nSouth East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2006. But it remains to be
\nseen if they will take any action, diplomats say.<\/p>\n
The forum is the first step in the junta's so-called \"road map
\nto democracy\" unveiled last August. The government says the plan
\npaves the way to civilian multi-party rule. Critics dismiss it as
\na smokescreen to keep the generals in power.<\/p>\n
The NLD boycotted the talks after the junta refused to free
\nSuu Kyi and party vice chairman Tin Oo from house arrest, and
\nrejected NLD demands to make the process more democratic.<\/p>\n
Myanmar Prime Minister Khin Nyunt, who announced the junta's
\ndemocracy road map with much fanfare last year, may face tough
\nquestions when he pays a \"courtesy visit\" to Bangkok next month.<\/p>\n
Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai was quoted by the state
\nThai News Agency on Wednesday as saying Bangkok had formally
\nasked Yangon to explain the absence of the NLD, which he said was
\n\"important\" for the entire process.<\/p>\n
Surakiart also repeated a call for Suu Kyi's release.<\/p>\n
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose government has a
\npolicy of constructive engagement with diplomatically isolated
\nYangon, has said he understood the generals would free Suu Kyi in
\ntime to attend the talks.<\/p>\n
A senior Thai official said Khin Nyunt's June 4 visit had been
\narranged before the start of the convention, but he added: \"We
\nwould like to know what is happening with the convening of the
\nconstitutional talks\".<\/p>\n
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Tuesday
\nhe would hold talks with Khin Nyunt soon, but officials said no
\ndate had been set.<\/p>\n
Although no longer a policy maker, former Malaysian leader
\nMahathir Mohamad, who championed Myanmar's entry into ASEAN in
\n1997, was speaking for many when he said last month he was
\ndisappointed with the pace of reform.<\/p>\n
Last year, Mahathir suggested Myanmar might eventually have to
\nbe thrown out of the regional body, but diplomats doubt it.<\/p>\n
\"There is a question does ASEAN care? Will they swallow
\nYangon's line that the NLD is throwing a wrench into this, even
\nif the process was a sham?\" a Bangkok-based Western diplomat
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia,
\nSingapore, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.<\/p>",
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