UN chief urges Asia nations to pressure Myanmar - Tim Witcher
- From: "labour" <twenti@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 21:51:44 -0700
September 27, Agence France Presse
UN chief urges Asia nations to pressure Myanmar - Tim Witcher
United Nations - UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned Asian nations that their
credibility could suffer if they do not take a tougher line with the
Myanmar junta ahead of a national election in November.
Ban exhorted the military government's neighbors to do more ahead of a
meeting on Myanmar on Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The meeting will discuss human rights, and humanitarian conditions, as
well as preparations for the November 7 election, which Britain, the
United States and Canada have said will be held in "oppressive"
conditions.
The UN secretary general has expressed mounting "frustration" with the
junta, which has stopped Nobel prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and other
opponents from standing in the election.
Ban told leaders from the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) on Friday that the UN and the group "share the aim of stability
and development in Myanmar.
"We agree on the critical need for a democratic transition and national
reconciliation, and for ensuring free, fair and inclusive elections."
But he added: "Failure to meet these expectations could undermine the
credibility of the process -- which, in turn, could reflect on ASEAN?s
collective values and principles."
Ban said the UN and ASEAN "must also help Myanmar, so that they can
address these humanitarian and development challenges."
ASEAN -- made up of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- has a strong principle
of non-interference in members' affairs, but Myanmar has been a source of
embarrassment for more democratic members of the bloc.
The UN chief said he wanted to work with the military government "to
enable a successful transition to civilian and democratic rule" and called
on ASEAN to show support "in encouraging Myanmar?s engagement with my good
offices."
He highlighted the issue in individual talks with ASEAN leaders in New
York, including the new Philippines President, Benigno Aquino. Ban pressed
on Aquino "the importance of engagement by the countries in the region," a
UN spokesman said.
Ban has increasingly thrown his usual caution to the wind in his comments
on Myanmar.
Already this month he has "expressed his frustration concerning access to
the Myanmar authorities" and noted with "some concern" the junta's
decision to ban Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy and nine
other parties from the election.
"The international community is at something of a loss over how to propose
a way forward with the intransigent Myanmar government," said one UN
Security Council diplomat.
"The UN secretary general is just reflecting that. The rights situation is
bad, even everyday life is bad for many people there."
US President Barack Obama also pressed the 10 ASEAN nations at a luncheon
he hosted for them the same day.
Washington has admitted it is also disappointed with efforts to use
dialogue to promote democratic change.
"The president believes in the importance of democratic reform and
protection of human rights and renews his call on Burma to embark on a
process of national reconciliation," a US statement said after the lunch.
Obama called for the release of all political prisoners including Aung San
Suu Kyi.
The ASEAN leaders also called for free elections, and welcomed US
engagement with Myanmar, hoping it would encourage the military government
to undertake political and economic reforms.
.
- Prev by Date: Filipinos should learn how to swim, Coast Guard says
- Next by Date: Bring pressure to bear on the Burmese generals before their sham election goes ahead
- Previous by thread: Filipinos should learn how to swim, Coast Guard says
- Next by thread: Bring pressure to bear on the Burmese generals before their sham election goes ahead
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
