Singapore foreign minister fears Myanmar could jeopardize ASEAN

Asian Economic News, March 7, 2005

SINGAPORE, March 5 Kyodo

Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo has expressed concern that the slow progress toward democracy in Myanmar could affect the credibility of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, especially in its relations with Western nations.

''The real point of concern is that what happens in Myanmar affects ASEAN as a whole and our relationship with our Dialogue Partners,'' he told Parliament on Friday. ''Unless the Myanmar authorities handle the situation carefully, ASEAN's credibility and cohesion would be jeopardized.''

The rotational chairmanship of ASEAN will be taken over by Myanmar next year but several Western countries have voiced dissatisfaction with the lack of democratic progress in Myanmar and have warned that they may boycott ASEAN's ministerial or leaders' meetings hosted by the military regime.

Yeo said ASEAN's foreign ministers will discuss the issue during their retreat next month in Cebu, the Philippines.

''We have a problem. Although we have not formally discussed this in ASEAN, I know that many of the foreign ministers in ASEAN worry about it,'' he said.

Although Myanmar reconvened its National Convention last month, the way forward is uncertain and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention.

''We don't want to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries. And we recognize that the domestic situation in Myanmar is complicated,'' Yeo said.

''Unfortunately, the much-publicized Road Map to Democracy has no timeframe and therefore is of limited utility.''

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

ASEAN admitted Myanmar as a member to realize their goal for ASEAN to embrace all 10 countries in the region, despite strong criticism from the United States and the European Union.

The group has maintained that it is better to pursue a policy of constructive engagement with Myanmar rather than isolating it, pushing for democratic changes and the release of Suu Kyi discreetly while avoiding criticizing the regime in Yangon openly.