ASEAN to promote positive developments with Myanmar

ASEAN to promote positive developments with Myanmar

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations'
secretary-general pledged yesterday that the organization would
hold frank and open talks to promote positive developments with
Myanmar when it joins the grouping in July.

Speaking to journalists here just days after ASEAN foreign
ministers announced that Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar would become
members in July, Secretary-General Dato Ajit Singh said the
grouping would continue its dialog to foster progress in the
country.

"You can rest assured that we will have very frank, very open
and very engaging discussions," Singh said.

ASEAN states have maintained a policy of constructive
engagement with Myanmar, despite the West's calls for
isolationism over alleged severe human rights violations.

Singh defended ASEAN's approach yesterday and appeared
optimistic that Myanmar would become more receptive to ASEAN's
calls once it became a member.

"You might say that constructive engagement was talking with
each other over the fence, now that they are within the compound
of ASEAN," he said.

ASEAN currently groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Singh admitted that there was "an honest difference of
opinion" between ASEAN and the West in how best to approach
Myanmar, but both shared the same objective of regional peace and
stability.

When queried on whether Myanmar's admission would damage the
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) process, Ajit remained sanguine,
saying that by directly meeting with each other the foreign
ministers could get first-hand information on the latest
developments.

The ARF is a regional security forum hosted by the ASEAN and
includes its dialog partners such as the United States, the
European Union and Canada.

Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar last year participated in the ARF
for the first time. As ASEAN members they are due to join the
security forum's talks when it meets again in July.

Singh said that based on last year's experience, the inclusion
of the three new members would be useful.

"I think there is an advantage here that we have all the three
countries there. It will enable all those who want to ask
questions to directly sit across Myanmar (and) address whatever
issues are of interest to them," he said. (mds)