Myanmar issue haunts ASEAN meet
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Its soft stance on Myanmar's junta backfired on the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and haunted its Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) with 10 dialog partners, overshadowing the conference's success in involving more countries in the fight against terrorism.
During a meeting on Thursday afternoon, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell scolded Myanmar's foreign minister Win Aung over the prolonged detention of opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in the presence of the ASEAN foreign ministers and their counterparts from 10 Asia-Pacific countries.
"We are concerned at the democratic process in Burma and we are specifically concerned about the fact that Aung San Suu Kyi has not been allowed to participate in the democratic process and remains under house arrest," Powell said during the ministers' joint press conference.
A similar stance was taken by European Union external relations commissioner Christopher Patten. He said there were major differences in the stances taken by ASEAN and its dialog partners regarding Myanmar.
"We would like to see the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, we would like to see the National League of Democracy involved in the national convention. Not in the spirit of confrontation but speaking with friends, we once again made our position clear," Patten remarked.
Minister Win Aung seemed to be taken by surprise when Secretary Powell raised the issue of Suu Kyi's detention.
"Win Aung could hardly answer the sudden question and the Thai foreign minister had to explain the situation in Myanmar, before Win Aung could do it," a diplomat who was in attendance told The Jakarta Post.
During the press conference, Win Aung once again seemed to be taken aback by Powell's comments and simply said: "We have no further comment at this moment."
Powell said he would again raise the issue at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting on Friday.
"It is likely that at the ARF meeting the discussion will be worse," the diplomat said.
At the press conference, China's Foreign Affairs Minister Li Zhaoxing showed appreciation for ASEAN's approach to Myanmar, saying that China respected the common stance of the association.
Last year, ASEAN leaders demanded the military regime release Suu Kyi, but did not receive a significant response from Yangon.
Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Russia signed on Thursday a counterterrorism declaration with ASEAN member countries, to enhance cooperation in combating crimes against humanity.
"It draws together the relations of Australia and ASEAN when it comes to terrorism. This draws together all 10 ASEAN countries with Australia in joint determination to fight terrorism," Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.
Secretary Powell expressed appreciation for the joint declaration on counterterrorism between ASEAN and its dialog partners.
"We are very pleased that the opening of the terrorism centers shows the international community coming together to deal with common threats that affects all civilized nations," Powell said. (For more stories click National button)