Singapore's Lee says Asean can't do much on Myanmar
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
MOST of Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbours have little influence on the military regime and are relegated to background music, Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew said.
Only Thailand, China and India can influence the reclusive junta, the elder statesman said in comments late Monday.
"The rest of us, we are a kind of background muzak," said Lee, who holds an influential position in the cabinet of his son, Lee Hsien Loong.
The elder Lee described the junta as "people with very fixated minds" and said he has given up trying to solve the Myanmar problem.
Myanmar's regime faces mounting pressure for democratic reform after its crackdown on peaceful protests led by Buddhist monks last September triggered widespread international outrage and tighter Western sanctions.
The United Nations says at least 31 people were killed during the suppression, and 74 remain missing.
Lee said he has not met with members of the junta since pro-reform prime minister General Khin Nyunt was replaced in 2004.
Khin Nyunt was arrested and put under house arrest for alleged corruption after a power struggle within the top ranks of the junta, Thai officials said at the time.
"I decided the one reasonably open mind to whom I could talk has been closed," Lee told a gathering to mark the 40th anniversary of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Myanmar belongs to the 10member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which Singapore currently chairs.
Meanwhile, another Asean member, Indonesia urged military-ruled Myanmar yesterday to take more credible steps towards democratisation, including releasing political prisoners.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said his country was frustrated that years of attempts to engage Myanmar diplomatically had born little fruit.
"We wish to see a more credible process in the implementation of their roadmap to democracy," Wirajuda said in an annual foreign affairs briefing. At least 31 people were killed in September in Myanmar.Reuters
Only Thailand, China and India can influence the reclusive junta, the elder statesman said in comments late Monday.
"The rest of us, we are a kind of background muzak," said Lee, who holds an influential position in the cabinet of his son, Lee Hsien Loong.
The elder Lee described the junta as "people with very fixated minds" and said he has given up trying to solve the Myanmar problem.
Myanmar's regime faces mounting pressure for democratic reform after its crackdown on peaceful protests led by Buddhist monks last September triggered widespread international outrage and tighter Western sanctions.
The United Nations says at least 31 people were killed during the suppression, and 74 remain missing.
Lee said he has not met with members of the junta since pro-reform prime minister General Khin Nyunt was replaced in 2004.
Khin Nyunt was arrested and put under house arrest for alleged corruption after a power struggle within the top ranks of the junta, Thai officials said at the time.
"I decided the one reasonably open mind to whom I could talk has been closed," Lee told a gathering to mark the 40th anniversary of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Myanmar belongs to the 10member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which Singapore currently chairs.
Meanwhile, another Asean member, Indonesia urged military-ruled Myanmar yesterday to take more credible steps towards democratisation, including releasing political prisoners.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said his country was frustrated that years of attempts to engage Myanmar diplomatically had born little fruit.
"We wish to see a more credible process in the implementation of their roadmap to democracy," Wirajuda said in an annual foreign affairs briefing. At least 31 people were killed in September in Myanmar.Reuters
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