ASEAN asks Myanmar junta to free Suu Kyi
ASEAN asks Myanmar junta to free Suu Kyi
Agencies, Phnom Penh
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday told
Myanmar to free pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in an
unprecedented rebuke to one of its own.
The political troubles in Myanmar - and the international
opprobrium its military rulers are attracting - dominated the
first day of meetings held by ASEAN's 10 foreign ministers in the
Cambodian capital.
"We had a good exchange of views on Myanmar and (the
ministers) conveyed the request ... to the Myanmar government
that (we) would like to see an easing of tensions and early
release of Aung San Suu Kyi," ASEAN secretary-general Ong Keng
Yong told reporters.
The ASEAN demand is unprecedented given its policy of not
interfering in the internal affairs of its members.
Before the meeting, Ong said the ministers would avoid being
confrontational when they spoke with their Myanmar counterpart
Win Aung.
Their blunt demand reflects frustration with the military
regime's obstinacy in the face of worldwide calls to free Suu
Kyi, then loosen its hold on power.
"All of us in ASEAN wish Aung San Suu Kyi will be free, to be
able to do what she would like to do," Ong said.
On Monday, the European Union (EU) stiffened sanctions against
Myanmar by suspending more trade privileges and adding people to
a list of 150 officials and their relatives and friends whose
overseas assets will be frozen.
Meanwhile, Myanmar students flocked back to universities on
Monday after the ruling military allowed classes to restart,
ending a two-week suspension amid fears of unrest following the
detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The universities closed as part of a broad crackdown on
dissent after May 30 clashes between pro-government groups and
Suu Kyi's supporters.
"Students are peacefully attending classes," an education
ministry official told Reuters.
Singapore Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar said that during the
ministers' meeting, "a point was made that the recent
developments were a setback not just for Myanmar but also for
ASEAN."
"And the ministers urged the Myanmar foreign minister to stay
on the course for national reconciliation," he said.
The surprise ASEAN position is a victory for the Philippines,
the only country to follow the U.S. position that ASEAN should be
more proactive on Myanmar.
"We in ASEAN are now sharing in accountability to the world
about the slow progress of the transition to democracy in
Myanmar," said Philippine Foreign Secretary Blas Ople.
The ASEAN position on Myanmar will be mentioned in the
ministers' joint communique to be issued Tuesday.