ASEM ministers ask Myanmar to free Suu Kyi

ASEM ministers ask Myanmar to free Suu Kyi

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

Foreign ministers from Asia and Europe urged Myanmar on Thursday
to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi and other pro-democracy
leaders, and guarantee freedom to engage in political activities.

In the chairman's statement, issued on the last day of the
fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Nusa Dua, Bali, the ministers
underlined that the release of Suu Kyi would rectify the current
setbacks in democracy in the country.

"The ministers call on the government of Myanmar to release
immediately Aung San Suu Kyi and other party members and ensure
them freedom of political activities," the statement said.

Ministerial delegations from 10 Asian countries -- Brunei
Darussalam, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- and the 15
members of the European Union convened in Nusa Dua, Bali from
July 21 through July 24 to discuss various regional issues.

The ministers also called on Myanmar to resume its efforts
toward national reconciliation and democracy.

The statement also noted Myanmar's assurance to the world in
the past months that the detention of Suu Kyi would be temporary
and she would be released as soon as possible.

The arrest of Suu Kyi on May 30 was one of the burning issues
in the ministerial meeting. Powerful nations like the United
States and Japan have increased pressure on Myanmar by imposing
sanctions.

The military junta also received pressure from its neighbors
grouped under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
to comply with international demand and release Suu Kyi.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad also warned of
Myanmar's expulsion from ASEAN as a last resort if Yangon
disregarded the demands of the international community.

Thailand proposed that an international forum be convened to
pressure the Myanmar regime to free the opposition leader.

Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai proposed that the
forum should include, among others, Southeast Asian nations, the
European Union, China and Japan.

However, so far Myanmar has not shown a positive response
to these calls.

Most European countries continue to ask for strong actions
against Myanmar, but Indonesia as chair of ASEAN said that
isolating Myanmar would not solve the issue.

Indonesia is planning to send special envoy Ali Alatas, the
country's former foreign minister, to convey a message from
President Megawati Soekarnoputri to the Myanmar junta regarding
the worsening situation there.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said the special
envoy would be sent if Myanmar special envoy Win Aung did not
convey a positive response when they meet on Monday.

"We are planning to send a special envoy to Myanmar, and high-
ranking ASEAN officials also share the need to talk to the
Myanmar government. However, we will wait for the coming talks
between Myanmar envoy Win Aung and President Megawati," the
minister said in the press conference after the closing ceremony
of the meeting.

The ministers also noted the important role of the United
Nations and strict compliance with international law in defusing
the situation in Myanmar.

"We also reaffirm our support for the efforts of United
Nations Special Envoy Tan Sri Razali Ismail," the statement said.

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