Myanmar says reforms being accepted, ASEAN disagrees<\/p>\n
Aung Hla Tun, Reuters\/Yangon<\/p>\n
Army-ruled Myanmar's paramount leader, Senior Gen. Than Shwe,
\nsaid on Sunday his government's democratic reforms were being
\naccepted internationally, despite signs southeast Asia is losing
\npatience with the junta.<\/p>\n
"Our country has been achieving progress despite all sorts of
\nrestrictions, sanctions and onslaughts," Than Shwe, 73, said in
\nan address at the 60th anniversary of Armed Forces Day in Yangon,
\nthe capital of the former Burma.<\/p>\n
"Our political reforms have gained acceptance not only among
\nour neighbors and nations within the region but also among all
\npositive-thinking countries," he said.<\/p>\n
The United States and Europe have slapped sanctions on Yangon,
\nwhich has been under military rule for the last four decades, to
\ntry and force the release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who
\nhas been in custody for much of the last 15 years.<\/p>\n
By contrast, Myanmar's regional partners in the Association of
\nSouth East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have adopted a far more
\nconciliatory approach of "constructive engagement" with Myanmar's
\nreclusive generals.<\/p>\n
Neither approach seems to have made any headway, even though
\nthe junta says a much-criticized national convention to draw up a
\nnew constitution is a sure sign that it is marching towards
\ndemocracy.<\/p>\n
However, signs emerged last week that 10-member ASEAN, which
\nis due to be chaired by Myanmar in 2006 but which refrains from
\ncommenting on the internal affairs of its members, is nudging the
\ngenerals towards the door.<\/p>\n
"There must be a timeframe for constructive engagement. It
\ncannot go on and on forever," Nazri Abdul Aziz, a minister in the
\noffice of the Malaysian premier, told Reuters. In ASEAN
\ndiplomatic language, this is taking the gloves off.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces Day commemorates the time when, on March 27 1945,
\nindependence hero Gen. Aung San -- Suu Kyi's father -- launched a
\nnation-wide struggle against Japanese forces occupying the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
The military government and the opposition, which won an
\nelection landslide in 1990 but was denied power by the junta,
\nhave marked the anniversary separately every year since the
\npresent regime came to power in 1988.<\/p>\n
The state-sponsored ceremony includes a parade of more than
\n7,000 army, navy, and air force personnel, as well as speeches by
\ntop brass.<\/p>\n
Than Shwe, who rarely appears in public, used the opportunity
\nto expound on the importance of the new constitution, which his
\nadministration says is part of a seven stage "roadmap to
\ndemocracy".<\/p>\n
"The emergence of a new constitution depends solely on the
\ndegree to which the National Convention can be free of impediment
\nand interference," he added.<\/p>\n
Residents said security across the city was far tighter than
\nin previous years following a couple of minor bomb explosions in
\nthe capital last week.<\/p>\n
Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy (NLD)
\nmarked the anniversary at a separate ceremony at their
\nheadquarters in the afternoon, and renewed its calls for the
\nrelease of their leader, and her number two, Tin Oo.<\/p>\n
"For the success of dialogue, a pleasant political atmosphere
\nmust be created by releasing NLD leaders U Tin Oo and Aung San
\nSuu Kyi and all other political prisoners immediately and
\nunconditionally," the NLD said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Spokesman U Lwin said he was not that excited about Malaysia's
\nhardening stance, but was glad to hear that other prominent ASEAN
\nmembers, especially Singapore -- a major investor in Myanmar --
\nwas having a rethink.<\/p>\n
"We are very much encouraged to know the role of Singapore in
\nthis movement and very much interested in it," he said.<\/p>",
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