Time to lift sanctions on Myanmar, ASEAN says

Monday, 17 January 2010

The Jakarta Post

ASEAN urged an easing of the sanctions against Myanmar, but urged the country’s military junta to continue efforts to reconcile with the opposition, especially with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

During their retreat meeting here Sunday, ASEAN foreign ministers spoke about the need for countries such as the US, the European Union (EU) and Canada — all ASEAN dialogue partners — to consider lifting their sanctions because the country had successfully conducted general elections and released Suu Kyi from house arrest late last year.

Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said there was an external dimension to the Myanmar issue, namely a belief by ASEAN countries for the early removal or easing of sanctions applied against Myanmar by several countries.

“We believe that recent developments need to be responded to the international community, especially to ensure that economic development in Myanmar can take place.

However, it should be remembered that lifting the bans and reconciliation go hand in hand,” Marty said after the meeting.

Myanmar joined ASEAN in 1997 despite strong opposition from Western nations.

The US and a number of other countries imposed sanctions — both diplomatic and economic — on Myanmar for its poor human rights record and slow move toward democracy.

ASEAN member states, Marty said, reinforced the importance of having dialogue that was inclusive to ensure that all parties concerned could contribute to Myanmar’s future development.

ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said Myanmar “should cease to be a problem” this year.

“We still want them to form an inclusive government and continue to adhere to democratic principles,” he said.

ASEAN will continue to assist Myanmar if the country requested it, Surin said.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said that after elections last year, Myanmar would convene its parliament to elect a president.

“There is a return to democracy. So some countries [that continue to place] sanctions against Myanmar should wake up and nurture the democratization process, provide trade assistance and so on, to improve the quality of life of Myanmar’s people,” he said.

Marty said the sanctions hit the people of Myanmar hard, and urged that assistance to the country would help develop the country and its people.

Surin said a number of ASEAN countries looked for the opportunity to help Myanmar while businesspeople eyed the country as an investment opportunity.

“There are huge opportunities in the country,” he said.