ASEAN told to boost democracy

ASEAN told to boost democracy

DENVER, Colorado (Reuter): The world's leading industrial
countries urged on Saturday southeast Asian nations which
recently accepted Myanmar into the ASEAN economic group to
pressure Yangon's military rulers to restore democracy.

A report by the Group of Seven (G-7) foreign ministers,
meeting here with Russia's foreign minister, also made a direct
call to the military to start a "meaningful, political dialog"
with the democratic opposition.

"Concerned by the continuing violations of human rights by the
regime (in Myanmar), we call on the SLORC (State Law and Order
Restoration Council) to enter into a meaningful political dialog
with leaders of the democratic opposition and ethnic minorities
aimed at national reconciliation and the restoration of
democracy," the report said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which groups
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
and Vietnam, decided to admit Myanmar next month.

The G-7 also said the international community held the SLORC
accountable for the safety of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi,
who has spent much of the last eight years under house arrest.