Myanmar must respond to int'l demands: RI

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Phnom Penh

Indonesia underlined the need for the Myanmar government to respond appropriately to international pressure to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from temporary detention.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Monday that Jakarta appreciated Myanmar's openness in discussing the issue, but stressed that something more should be done to respond to the world's demands over Suu Kyi.

"What is happening now in Myanmar is a setback for the country itself and also a setback for the region. There should be an adequate response to the demand," Hassan said.

The issue was among the highlights of the ongoing Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting here, as the United States and European Union increased pressure on the country to release the opposition leader, who has been under temporary detention since May 30.

Myanmar foreign minister Aung Win briefed ASEAN ministers during the retreat on Monday and promised to forward the suggestion and views of the ASEAN colleagues to the central government.

Some predicted that Washington may impose sanctions against the country should it fail to release Suu Kyi as soon as possible.

Suu Kyi was detained following a riot involving her supporters and government supporters.

"There is a real need for Myanmar to answer these demands from the U.S. and EU, and we fully understand the urgency to do so," Hassan remarked.

ASEAN member countries have been trying to issue a proper term in the coming AMM joint communique on Myanmar, as the Philippines pushes for a harsher stance against the country.

In the draft of the joint communique, ASEAN does not even express concern about what happened in the past weeks in Myanmar, and simply recognizes that the country is striving for democracy.

Hassan said that ASEAN fully understood that the issue was a domestic problem of Myanmar, but stressed that it would finally affect the whole region.

"We appreciate that Myanmar voluntarily addresses the issue, but they need to answer to international pressure," Hassan stressed.