Myanmar must seek democracy

The military government has achieved a measure of success in its efforts to introduce a free market economy (in Myanmar). This is evidenced by a growth rate of 6.8 percent in its gross domestic product in fiscal 1994, more than the junta had anticipated, and a sharp increase in investment by foreign businesses.

Nevertheless, Myanmar needs economic aid from Western industrialized countries in order to achieve further economic growth. The junta apparently opted to free Suu Kyi because it felt her detention would stand in the way of its economic reform policy.

It is important for the international community to continue its policy of constructive engagement in dealing with Myanmar. The Japanese government should expand its dialog with Myanmar and gradually increase economic aid in line with progress in national reconciliation and democratization there. The government is therefore correct to reconsider resuming yen loans to Myanmar.

As last year's meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers, Vietnam and Laos attended as observers, Cambodia as a guest of ASEAN and Myanmar as a guest of the host country. In what capacities will those countries attend the ASEAN meeting that opens in late July? Vietnam is to become a member of ASEAN.

It probably will not be an impossible dream for ASEAN to become a 10-nation forum encompassing all Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar. It partly depends on what Myanmar chooses to do now and later.

-- Yomiuri Shimbun, Tokyo