Friday July 21, 2006
Kuala Lumpur, July 21 (DPA) Southeast Asian nations will continue to forge ahead in building a stronger regional identity with or without Myanmar, as the ruling military junta chooses to engage the UN over its regional neighbours, Malaysia's Foreign Minister said Friday.
'We'll be making a big mistake if we think that Myanmar (alone) is ASEAN,' said Syed Hamid Albar.
'Myanmar has created problems for us because of the slowness of the move towards democracy, of adhering to the roadmap, but I don't think we should make ASEAN to be just Myanmar,' the minister said ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Monday in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia is the current chair of ASEAN.
Syed Hamid's comments highlighted the region's disappointment in Myanmar's ruling junta for apparently snubbing ASEAN countries in realising the so-called road map to democracy, choosing instead to invite the UN into the country.
'ASEAN has not succeeded to play its pivotal role ... to bring Myanmar to follow what it has agreed to do,' he said.
In March, Syed Hamid led a delegation of ASEAN officers to Myanmar on a two-day fact-finding visit to seek first-hand information on the progress of the reconciliation and democratisation process in the country.
However, the ruling junta refused to let him meet with the detained Nobel peace laureate Aung Saan Suu Kyi.
Syed Hamid said Friday that ASEAN neighbours would not interfere in Myanmar's desire to involve the UN, adding that ASEAN would continue to engage Myanmar in its dealings.
'It's not a question of us sitting back; Myanmar doesn't want us to stand with them.
'Myanmar has invited the UN to go to Yangon to meet with all the people that matter. When we sent our delegates, we could not meet. So this means that Myanmar does not need us to solve their issues. It's best that it's handled by the UN,' he said.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
All foreign ministers from member countries, including Myanmar, have confirmed their attendance at Monday's annual two-day meeting.
The ministerial talks will be followed by a top regional security conference, where foreign ministers from ASEAN's dialogue partners including the US, France, Bangladesh, Pakistan and South Korea, are scheduled to attend.
'We'll be making a big mistake if we think that Myanmar (alone) is ASEAN,' said Syed Hamid Albar.
'Myanmar has created problems for us because of the slowness of the move towards democracy, of adhering to the roadmap, but I don't think we should make ASEAN to be just Myanmar,' the minister said ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Monday in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia is the current chair of ASEAN.
Syed Hamid's comments highlighted the region's disappointment in Myanmar's ruling junta for apparently snubbing ASEAN countries in realising the so-called road map to democracy, choosing instead to invite the UN into the country.
'ASEAN has not succeeded to play its pivotal role ... to bring Myanmar to follow what it has agreed to do,' he said.
In March, Syed Hamid led a delegation of ASEAN officers to Myanmar on a two-day fact-finding visit to seek first-hand information on the progress of the reconciliation and democratisation process in the country.
However, the ruling junta refused to let him meet with the detained Nobel peace laureate Aung Saan Suu Kyi.
Syed Hamid said Friday that ASEAN neighbours would not interfere in Myanmar's desire to involve the UN, adding that ASEAN would continue to engage Myanmar in its dealings.
'It's not a question of us sitting back; Myanmar doesn't want us to stand with them.
'Myanmar has invited the UN to go to Yangon to meet with all the people that matter. When we sent our delegates, we could not meet. So this means that Myanmar does not need us to solve their issues. It's best that it's handled by the UN,' he said.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
All foreign ministers from member countries, including Myanmar, have confirmed their attendance at Monday's annual two-day meeting.
The ministerial talks will be followed by a top regional security conference, where foreign ministers from ASEAN's dialogue partners including the US, France, Bangladesh, Pakistan and South Korea, are scheduled to attend.
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