Myanmar needs Suu Kyi for credible talks, neighbors say

Myanmar needs Suu Kyi for credible talks, neighbors say

Agencies
Bangkok, Jakarta

Myanmar's neighbors stepped up calls for the release of
democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, saying her role in
constitutional talks was key to giving the process credibility.

Indonesia, which now chairs the 10-nation regional bloc, on
Wednesday criticized Myanmar's decision to go ahead with
constitutional talks without involving Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-
democracy opposition.

"Indonesia expresses its concern that the National Convention
and the existing process of democratization and national
reconciliation in Myanmar is considered as falling short of an
expectation widely shared by the international community," the
ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

"Hence, we would very much like to see that the government of
Myanmar could, within the spirit of reconciliation, consider the
participation of all the groups concerned," it said.

"We would also very much like to see the realization of the
commitment on the part of the government of Myanmar to release
Aung San Suu Kyi, so that she can contribute positively to the
process of implementation of the roadmap and thereby ensure the
credibility of the process of democratization...," it said.

Thailand has formally asked Yangon to explain the absence of
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) from talks touted
by the junta as the first step towards democracy.

Myanmar's normally non-interfering neighbors are embarrassed
by the junta, which takes over the chair of the Association of
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2006. But it remains to be
seen if they will take any action, diplomats say.

The forum is the first step in the junta's so-called "road map
to democracy" unveiled last August. The government says the plan
paves the way to civilian multi-party rule. Critics dismiss it as
a smokescreen to keep the generals in power.

The NLD boycotted the talks after the junta refused to free
Suu Kyi and party vice chairman Tin Oo from house arrest, and
rejected NLD demands to make the process more democratic.

Myanmar Prime Minister Khin Nyunt, who announced the junta's
democracy road map with much fanfare last year, may face tough
questions when he pays a "courtesy visit" to Bangkok next month.

Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai was quoted by the state
Thai News Agency on Wednesday as saying Bangkok had formally
asked Yangon to explain the absence of the NLD, which he said was
"important" for the entire process.

Surakiart also repeated a call for Suu Kyi's release.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose government has a
policy of constructive engagement with diplomatically isolated
Yangon, has said he understood the generals would free Suu Kyi in
time to attend the talks.

A senior Thai official said Khin Nyunt's June 4 visit had been
arranged before the start of the convention, but he added: "We
would like to know what is happening with the convening of the
constitutional talks".

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Tuesday
he would hold talks with Khin Nyunt soon, but officials said no
date had been set.

Although no longer a policy maker, former Malaysian leader
Mahathir Mohamad, who championed Myanmar's entry into ASEAN in
1997, was speaking for many when he said last month he was
disappointed with the pace of reform.

Last year, Mahathir suggested Myanmar might eventually have to
be thrown out of the regional body, but diplomats doubt it.

"There is a question does ASEAN care? Will they swallow
Yangon's line that the NLD is throwing a wrench into this, even
if the process was a sham?" a Bangkok-based Western diplomat
said.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia,
Singapore, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.