Suu Kyi questions ASEAN's policy<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (Reuter): Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi
\nquestioned the effectiveness of Southeast Asia's "constructive
\nengagement" policy toward Myanmar, and called on neighboring
\ncountries to help promote democracy in Myanmar, The Nation
\nnewspaper reported yesterday.<\/p>\n
"I do notice that while promoting the policy of constructive
\nengagement some ASEAN nations are careful to say that they do not
\ninterfere in the internal affairs of another country," Suu Kyi
\ntold The Nation in an interview.<\/p>\n
"If they do not interfere in the internal affairs of another
\ncountry then how far can they help us achieve change?"<\/p>\n
The constructive engagement policy Association of Southeast
\nAsian Nations (ASEAN) toward Myanmar's ruling State Law and Order
\nRestoration Council (SLORC) differs sharply from western
\ncountries' outspoken criticism of the Yangon government and human
\nrights abuses in Burma since 1988.<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
\nSingapore, Thailand and Vietnam, which became a member last week.
\nSeveral members have said Suu Kyi's release was proof the policy
\nwas right.<\/p>\n
But Suu Kyi, the 50-year-old Nobel Peace laureate who was
\nreleased from six years of house arrest earlier this month, said
\nthere was no evidence to prove ASEAN policy had worked.<\/p>\n
"The question is for whom has it been constructive? Was it
\nconstructive for the forces of democracy? Was it constructive for
\nthe Burmese (Myanmarese) people in general? Was it constructive
\nfor a limited business community? Or was it constructive for the
\nSLORC?" Suu Kyi asked.<\/p>\n
Myanmar's Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw, currently attending ASEAN
\nmeetings in Brunei as a guest, took the first steps on the road
\nto ASEAN membership last week by acceding to the organization's
\nfounding treaty.<\/p>\n
Suu Kyi said if ASEAN nations cared about regional peace and
\nstability they should care about the kind of governments their
\nneighbors had.<\/p>\n
She repeated appeals to governments and investors not to rush
\ninto Myanmar with new funds, but instead to encourage a climate
\nof dialog and negotiation.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/suu-kyi-questions-aseans-policy-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}