Myanmar shows defiance<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Myanmar's leader Gen. Tan Shwe continues to show defiance
\nagainst the world community's pressure to restore democracy in
\nhis country and release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.<\/p>\n
The hardline stance was demonstrated during his separate
\nmeetings with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and United
\nNations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the sidelines of the
\nAsian-African Summit here on Saturday.<\/p>\n
During the talks, Tan Shwe briefed both Susilo and Annan about
\nthe latest developments in Myanmar and his promise to keep the
\ncurrent "democratic process" in the country intact. During their
\nbilateral talks, Susilo and the Myanmar leader evaded the
\ncontroversial issue on the country's position as the next chair
\nof the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).<\/p>\n
Several ASEAN member states have opposed Myanmar's leadership,
\nciting its poor progress in protecting human rights and upholding
\ndemocracy.<\/p>\n
"The two leaders talked more about the Bandung Spirit, as
\nMyanmar was one of the initiators of the Asia-Africa Conference
\n50 years ago," Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said.<\/p>\n
He added that Tan Shwe explained to Susilo about the
\npossibility for the national convention in Yangon to establish a
\nnew constitution in Myanmar, even before the Indonesian president
\nraised the question.<\/p>\n
"Myanmar vows to transform itself toward democratization,"
\nsaid Dino.<\/p>\n
In a broader sense, Dino added, ASEAN would support Myanmar's
\ndemocratization process, but expected the process to run in an
\ninclusive manner by involving all political parties and leaders
\nin the country.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Tan Shwe also extended an invitation for
\nSusilo to visit Myanmar, but the Indonesian president had not
\ngiven any response.<\/p>\n
In a separate press conference, Annan said the Myanmar leader
\nbriefed him about the current situation and the ongoing
\ndemocratization process there.<\/p>\n
"I did raise a question on Aung San Suu Kyi and the National
\nLeague for Democracy party and the fact that it was important
\nthat all citizens are able to participate in the constitutional
\nprocess in the national discussion and to be able to exercise
\ntheir individual democratic rights," Annan said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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