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.