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.