Secretary-general of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Surin Pitsuwan.27 April 2010
Channel News Asia (Singapore)
HONG KONG : The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is not a "magic wand" for the region's problems and could not ensure free elections in military-ruled Myanmar, the 10-member bloc's chief said on Monday.
Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN's secretary-general, said that a decision by opposition parties not to participate in upcoming polls in Myanmar was a problem.
The elections, expected to be held by early November, have been widely criticised as lacking credibility because of laws that effectively bar opposition leader and pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part.
"It is a problem, everybody knows it," Surin told the International Media Conference in Hong Kong.
"But we're not a magic wand that can deliver a miracle in every issue."
Defending the regional grouping, which is sometimes criticised as toothless, Surin said ASEAN had kept Southeast Asia peaceful and boosted economic growth.
"We've been able to maintain peace and growth" in the region, he said.
Movement on human rights would take time, Surin said, but added that members "are talking to each other much more openly and much more candidly now."
ASEAN's growing international influence meant it can be an effective buffer in any regional power struggle between China and the United States, he added.
"ASEAN can be helpful in the US-China relationship," Surin said.
The group's membership ranges from communist Vietnam and Laos -- one of Asia's poorest nations -- to Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia.
Other members are Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Myanmar.
Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN's secretary-general, said that a decision by opposition parties not to participate in upcoming polls in Myanmar was a problem.
The elections, expected to be held by early November, have been widely criticised as lacking credibility because of laws that effectively bar opposition leader and pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part.
"It is a problem, everybody knows it," Surin told the International Media Conference in Hong Kong.
"But we're not a magic wand that can deliver a miracle in every issue."
Defending the regional grouping, which is sometimes criticised as toothless, Surin said ASEAN had kept Southeast Asia peaceful and boosted economic growth.
"We've been able to maintain peace and growth" in the region, he said.
Movement on human rights would take time, Surin said, but added that members "are talking to each other much more openly and much more candidly now."
ASEAN's growing international influence meant it can be an effective buffer in any regional power struggle between China and the United States, he added.
"ASEAN can be helpful in the US-China relationship," Surin said.
The group's membership ranges from communist Vietnam and Laos -- one of Asia's poorest nations -- to Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia.
Other members are Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Myanmar.
5 comments:
If you hate Khmers Surin, give back those provinces to Cambodia and you will have no more problem with PreaVihear!
siem has so far done nothing to help asean. it seems it's always about siem own interests, etc...!
Surin Pitsuwan, please gets a Thai ladyboy and shut the F****
Surin Pitsuwan, stop interfere with Khmer internal affairs, you are suppose to help solve problems between Thai and Cambodia, but you "Mr. Surin Pitsuwan" has taken side with your own country instead..?
This guy is of Malay origin and he betrayed his people by siding with the NanChow siameses. Sooner or later the Muslims in the South will chop his head.
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