'ASEAN may review Myanmar stance'

'ASEAN may review Myanmar stance'

MANILA (Reuter): Philippine President Fidel Ramos said yesterday the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) might review its policy of "constructive engagement" towards Myanmar at the ASEAN summit in November.

Ramos said the consensus among ASEAN foreign ministers remained that the group may eventually admit Myanmar as a member provided it made progress on trade and political reforms.

But ASEAN may review its policy of refraining from directly challenging Myanmar on its human rights record, Ramos told his weekly news conference.

"The ASEAN leaders will have their summit in late November 1996 and maybe the matter can be reviewed at that stage," Ramos said in response to a question on the ASEAN response to Yangon's latest crackdown on democracy activists.

The seven-member regional grouping has previously resisted pressure for international sanctions to be imposed against Myanmar's military rulers.