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)