Myanmar 'must stick to reform pledges'

Myanmar 'must stick to reform pledges'

PHILIPPINES: Myanmar could face opposition to its chairmanship of ASEAN at a meeting of foreign ministers next week if it does not show its commitment to pushing ahead with democratic reforms, the Philippines said on Wednesday.

Myanmar is due to take over the chairmanship of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, raising pressure on its military junta to free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and improve its human rights record.

ASEAN foreign ministers will gather on Mactan island in the central Philippines on Sunday to prepare for the 38th ministerial meeting in Laos in July and a December summit in Malaysia.

"The key issue is for Myanmar to follow the road map," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo told reporters.

"I dare say it, if they follow the road map, there is a commitment, then there is no problem because that is what we want to happen."

Romulo said Myanmar's chairmanship would be discussed next week and that the generals must make a firm commitment to stick to the road map for democracy. --Reuters