ASEAN firm on vow to stay out of Myanmar politics

ASEAN firm on vow to stay out of Myanmar politics

By Deborah Charles

BANGKOK (Reuter): Southeast Asian nations remain unwavering in their resolve to stay out of Myanmar's internal politics, a sharp contrast to widespread condemnation and threats of sanctions from the West.

There has been no hint of change to the "constructive engagement" policy on Myanmar of any of the seven members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), despite a crackdown by the country's military leaders on pro-democracy supporters over the past few months.

ASEAN, which groups Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam, rarely comments on Myanmar's affairs or its treatment of its citizens, saying it does not get involved in internal affairs of other countries.

Thai Foreign Minister Amnuay Viravan said last week the policy would not be abandoned even though it may not have produced the anticipated results.

"We believe that although ASEAN's constructive policy may be viewed by many to have not produced the kind of results that most people expect, it only means that we have to redouble our efforts, make it more constructive," Amnuay said.

ASEAN will officially welcome Myanmar as an observer at an ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Jakarta even as the European Union and the United States -- angry over the crackdown in Myanmar and the death in jail of an honorary consul to four European nations -- deliberate imposing economic sanctions on Yangon.

Philippine foreign minister Domingo Siazon has said Myanmar's observer status would not be affected by recent events because ASEAN leaders had made the decision last year.

Myanmar is also to be included in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) security grouping at the meeting, diplomats said.

ARF includes the ASEAN nations, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Laos, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Russia and the United States. India and Myanmar will be the two new members.

Western views differ remarkably from those of Myanmar's Asian neighbors.

Myanmar's ruling military government, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), has come under attack from many Western nations for its recent clampdown on pro-democracy politicians.

In May, the SLORC arrested more than 250 members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi ahead of a controversial party meeting. It subsequently released most of them.

Since May, the SLORC has mounted an intense propaganda campaign against the NLD. Calling Suu Kyi a "puppet princess" and the NLD "goons" of Westerners who want to colonize Myanmar.

European nations were outraged when James Leander Nichols, a former honorary consul and representative for Norway, Denmark, Finland and Switzerland, died in jail last month.

EU president Ireland last week called for a full and satisfactory explanation of Nichols' death and an investigation by the United Nations.

Denmark has already proposed that the European Union implement sanctions against Myanmar, while the U.S. Senate this month will consider an economic sanctions bill on Myanmar in an effort to push the SLORC towards democratic reform.

Two European beer companies have also pulled out of Myanmar after pressure from human rights activists and threats to boycott their products.

Dutch brewer Heineken NV announced last Wednesday the withdrawal of its $30 million investment in Myanmar; a day earlier Danish beer maker Carlsberg dropped plans to invest in a new brewery in Myanmar.

U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher said last week the United States would consult ASEAN nations on how to curb the "new tide of repression" in Myanmar, including a possible boycott.

But Christopher, who will meet ASEAN foreign ministers in Jakarta, said he did not expect an early consensus on any proposed boycott.