Philippines says ASEAN wants democracy in Myanmar
- From: Chim <ChimS1@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:08:09 -0700
MANILA, Sept 24, 2007 (AFP) - ASEAN wants to see democracy flourish in
Myanmar, the Philippines said Monday, as tens of thousands poured onto
the streets of Yangon in open defiance of the military junta.
"The ASEAN countries would like to see further improvement in
democracy in Myanmar," presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said. "I
believe that stand has not changed."
The Philippines is among the founding members of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and is the outgoing chairman of
grouping, which has a rotating leadership.
ASEAN also includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The grouping accepted the
military-ruled state in 1997 and applied a "constructive policy"
engagement in a failed bid to introduce reforms.
The group has been criticised for its soft stance against the military
rulers, although members have been increasingly issuing bold
statements against the regime.
The Philippines earlier this month, for the first time, acknowledged
the "constructive policy" engagement has failed and that ASEAN has
grown increasingly impatient.
On Sunday, ASEAN secretary general Ong Keng Yong told AFP that ASEAN
foreign ministers were "doing all they can" to ensure that the
situation remained peaceful.
"I hope the protests would remain peaceful and calm," Ong said.
Asked whether the protests would cast a shadow over an annual ASEAN
leader's summit to be held in Singapore in November, Ong said: "I
think the leaders would know how to handle the situation."
Rights groups have called on the international community to recognise
the march for democracy in Myanmar and to lend support in a bid to
oust the regime.
.
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