ASEAN must stiffen its resolve on Myanmar

ASEAN must stiffen its resolve on Myanmar

Yangon has for too long been allowed to take advantage of the
wobbles that have plagued the grouping's approach to engagement

Until Myanmar's military junta decides one way or another
whether it intends to retain the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006,
the wobbly indecisiveness of members of our regional grouping
will continue to make it an object of international ridicule.

It should be obvious that at this stage it is simply not
realistic to expect the junta, which has ruled with an iron fist
for a long time, to make responsible decisions.

It is also obvious that ASEAN has no "Plan" if Yangon goes to
Vientiane intent on taking its turn as chairman no matter what.

It has been evident to the rest of the world -- though
apparently not to some parts of Southeast Asia -- that Myanmar
does not have ASEAN's interests at heart. And it never will
unless ASEAN formulates a plan to enforce its will. The fact is,
ASEAN will never achieve its goal of facilitating democracy in
Myanmar so long as it allows its members to hide behind and
manipulate its oft-cited doctrine of non-interference.
-- The Nation, Bangkok