News & Articles on Burma
Monday, 08 May, 2011
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Asean Open to Burma Chairing Bloc: SBY
Asean considers giving Burma chairmanship in 2014
Myanmar to chair ASEAN chair despite rights record
Myanmar could lead ASEAN in 2014
ASEAN to agree to give Myanmar chairmanship
ASEAN considers giving Myanmar chairmanship in 2014
EU to negotiate FTA with all ASEAN countries, except Myanmar
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Asean Open to Burma Chairing Bloc: SBY
May 08, 2011
Southeast Asian leaders have no objection to Burma’s request to chair the 10-member Asean bloc in 2014, as long as it continues making progress towards democracy, Indonesia’s president said on Sunday after the group’s latest summit.
“Asean leaders do not object in principle,” Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at his closing news conference.
“But Burma, which is a focus of world attention, is expected to continue progress on democracy so when it becomes chair it does not generate negative views.”
A communique issued at the end of the two-day Asean leaders’ summit in Jakarta said: “We considered the proposal of Burma that it would host the Asean summits in 2014, in view of its firm commitment to the principles of Asean.”
It added that Asean leaders supported the “steady progress and political developments in Burma” after it held general elections and formed a new government in March, calling the ballot “successful”.
A previous draft communique said Asean had already “consented to the proposal” to chair the bloc in 2014. But the final draft, and Yudhoyono’s comments, suggest a final decision will be made at a later date.
Burma held elections earlier this year to switch from military to civilian rule, leading the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) to push the United States and Europe to drop sanctions against it.
But many observers dismissed the election as a sham that has kept the generals in power behind the scenes.
Any decision to allow Burma to chair Asean would provoke protests from Western governments and rights groups, and would complicate efforts by Asean to work more closely with the United States and the European Union.
Rights group Human Rights Watch sharply criticized Asean’s apparent readiness to allow Burma’s 2014 presidency.
“This is unfortunately a decision of political convenience over political principle, and indicates once again that human rights is not a priority for Asean,” said Phil Robertson, the HRW’s Asia deputy director.
Reuters http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/asean-open-to-burma-chairing-bloc-sby/439858
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Asean considers giving Burma chairmanship in 2014
JAKARTA, INDONESIA - May 08 2011 14:03
South-east Asian leaders said on Sunday they were considering allowing Burma to chair the 10-member Asean group in 2014, backing away from an earlier draft statement that said they had already agreed to the country's request.
A communique issued at the end of a two-day Asean leaders' summit in Jakarta said: "We considered the proposal of Myanmar [Burma] that it would host the Asean summits in 2014, in view of its firm commitment to the principles of Asean."
It added that Asean leaders supported the "steady progress and political developments in Myanmar" after it held general elections and formed a new government in March, calling the ballot "successful".
A previous draft communiqué said Asean had already "consented to the proposal" to chair the bloc in 2014.
Burma held elections earlier this year to switch from military to civilian rule, leading the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) to push the United States and Europe to drop sanctions against it.
But many observers dismissed the election as a sham that has kept the generals in power behind the scenes.
Any decision to allow Burma to chair Asean would provoke protests from Western governments and rights groups, and would complicate efforts by Asean to work more closely with the United States and the European Union. - Reuters http://mg.co.za/article/2011-05-08-asean-considers-giving-burma-chairmanship-in-2014/
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Myanmar to chair ASEAN chair despite rights record
STAFF WRITER 12:28 HRS IST
Jakarta, May 8 (AP) Myanmar will likely take over the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2014 despite the military-dominated country's record on human rights.
The regional grouping is supposed to rotate the post every year between its 10 member countries.
Myanmar was forced to skip its turn in 2005 after coming under heavy pressure from the international community over slow progress on national reconciliation and human rights.
A draft of the ASEAN chairman statement seen by The Associated Press and to be issued at the close of a two-day summit later today says Southeast Asian leaders "consented to the proposal of Myanmar that it would host the ASEAN Summits in 2014. http://www.ptinews.com/news/1575244_Myanmar-to-chair-ASEAN-chair-despite-rights-record-
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Myanmar could lead ASEAN in 2014
Dina Indrasafitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 05/08/2011 8:00 AM | World
ASEAN leaders will discuss Myanmar’s request to chair the grouping in 2014 on Sunday, but as Indonesia wants to maintain engagement with Myanmar, ASEAN will likely let the reclusive country take the post.
Myanmar president Thein Sein, who heads the military-backed party that overwhelmingly won controversial general elections late last year, requested the country chair ASEAN in 2014 at Saturday’s leaders’ meeting.
“Today we heard Myanmar’s request, which will be discussed [Sunday],” Indonesian Foreign Ministry director general for ASEAN cooperation Djauhari Oratmangun said on the sidelines of the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on Saturday.
Foreign Ministry director for ASEAN political cooperation Ade Padmo Sarwono said Indonesia, a supporter of engaging Myanmar, would listen to the views of other member states before making a decision.
Officials said Saturday that Laos supported Myanmar’s bid while Thailand and several other countries indicated they weren’t opposed to Myanmar chairing ASEAN in 2014, while Singapore is reported to have said it would be better to push back the date because of human rights concerns.
Given the way ASEAN makes decision, officials said there was no reason to reject Myanmar’s bid as Indonesia and the other ASEAN states backed the results of the country’s election.
“Myanmar feels they have completed their democratization process with the election, and with the release of [pro-democracy icon] Aung San Suu Kyi they want to claim their right as possible chair,” an ASEAN official said on condition of anonymity.
The grouping rotates its chair every year. However, Myanmar was forced to skip its turn in 2005 after coming under heavy pressure from the international community over its stalled progress on national reconciliation and human rights issues.
ASEAN’s likely decision to allow Myanmar to chair the group in 2014 will face criticism from regional and international civil society groups.
New York-based Human Rights Watch urged ASEAN to reject Myanmar’s request until the country’s government took genuine steps toward improving human rights, including the release of more than 2,000 political prisoners.
HRW pointed out that Myanmar failed to address concerns repeatedly raised by ASEAN leaders in past summits.
It said Myanmar held sham elections in November 2010, with widespread restrictions on opposition parties, continued detention of political activists, and severe limits on basic freedoms of expression, association, and assembly, with international election monitoring not allowed inside as the main military-backed party swept the large majority of seats and now dominates the government.
“Rewarding Burma [Myanmar] with ASEAN’s chairmanship aft er it staged sham elections and still holds 2,000 political prisoners would be an embarrassment for the region,” Elaine Pearson, HRW’s deputy Asia director, said. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/05/08/myanmar-could-lead-asean-2014.html
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ASEAN to agree to give Myanmar chairmanship
(Reuters)
8 May 2011
JAKARTA - Southeast Asian leaders on Sunday will agree on Sunday to allow Myanmar to chair the 10-member ASEAN group in 2014, a draft statement seen by Reuters said, a move likely to spur protests from Western nations and rights groups.
Myanmar held elections earlier this year to switch from military to civilian rule, leading the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to push the United States and Europe to drop sanctions against it.
But many observers dismissed the election as a sham that has kept the generals in power behind the scenes.
“(We) consented to the proposal of Myanmar that it would host the ASEAN summits in 2014, in view of its firm commitment and dedication to implement the ASEAN community building as well as to ASEAN solidarity,” said the draft statement to be released on Sunday.
The draft added that ASEAN leaders supported the “steady progress and political developments in Myanmar” after it held general elections and formed a new government in March, calling the ballot “successful”.
ASEAN has in the past, along with Western nations, called on Myanmar to include pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in any political solution, and so the decision appears to be a change of stance.
Rights group Human Rights Watch slammed the ASEAN decision.
“This is unfortunately a decision of political convenience over political principle, and indicates once again that human rights is not a priority for ASEAN,” Phil Robertson, the HRW’s Asia deputy director said.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/May/international_May359.xml§ion=international&col =
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ASEAN considers giving Myanmar chairmanship in 2014
JAKARTA | Sun May 8, 2011 3:43pm IST
Regional leaders pose for a group photo prior to a dinner upon arrival at the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia May 7, 2011. REUTERS/Achmad Ibrahim/Pool
(Reuters) - Southeast Asian leaders said on Sunday they were considering allowing Myanmar to chair the 10-member ASEAN group in 2014, backing away from an earlier draft statement that said they had already agreed to the country's request.
A communique issued at the end of a two-day ASEAN leaders' summit in Jakarta said: "We considered the proposal of Myanmar that it would host the ASEAN summits in 2014, in view of its firm commitment to the principles of ASEAN."
It added that ASEAN leaders supported the "steady progress and political developments in Myanmar" after it held general elections and formed a new government in March, calling the ballot "successful".
A previous draft communique said ASEAN had already "consented to the proposal" to chair the bloc in 2014.
Myanmar held elections earlier this year to switch from military to civilian rule, leading the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to push the United States and Europe to drop sanctions against it.
But many observers dismissed the election as a sham that has kept the generals in power behind the scenes.
Any decision to allow Myanmar to chair ASEAN would provoke protests from Western governments and rights groups, and would complicate efforts by ASEAN to work more closely with the United States and the European Union.
(Reporting by Olivia Rondonuwu; Editing by Andrew Marshall) http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/05/08/idINIndia-56855220110508?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&rpc=401
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EU to negotiate FTA with all ASEAN countries, except Myanmar
Sunday, 08 May 2011 02:37
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 05/07/2011
The European Union is looking forward to engaging in free trade agreements with ASEAN member nations. EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht talked to The Jakarta Post’s Sita Winiawati Dewi and other reporters in Jakarta on Friday.
What is the progress of FTA negotiations with Indonesia?
With Indonesia, the idea last year was to have a Vision Group to assemble a report, and they have come up with their report and it will be officially presented in June in Europe. All we are waiting for are signatures from Indonesia to start the official scope exercise and subsequent negotiations. I think we have made very good progress. I don’t want to put a date on it because of the responsibility of our Indonesian counterparts. It’s up to them.
Would that be a region-to-region approach or region-to-country approach. How does it work?
We started the negotiations with ASEAN as a bloc, but we had to stop this for two main reasons. There’s a very different level of development in each of the countries, which has made negotiations very difficult.
Secondly, because of Myanmar. But even if we were to negotiate under present circumstances, region-to-region, in practice, it would be largely a discussion with each individual country, because there is no common external tariff, custom union nor internal market, which means that in any case, you would have different arrangements from one country to another. We are now negotiating to take care so that all of these negotiations have the same backbone. That’s one of the discussion [points] with Vietnam. We want them to agree on the level of ambitions that coincide with a common backbone. Once we have completed these negotiations with all of the individual member states interested in doing so, there’s where the economic community comes about. I think that would be the right moment to move into the region-to-region approach.
The whole ASEAN region has poor human rights and democracy track records. Some members are stuck, or even moving backwards. So why is Myanmar singled-out, and do you think this problem could be overcome?
First of all, I wouldn’t say that the only country that has been shaved from the region-to-region approach is Myanmar. That is certainly not true. I would say that if you were to continue a bloc-to-bloc [approach], it would take years. You would be better to take it one after another to achieve practical results. There is not only the link to Myanmar. That is not true. What is true is that the Myanmar topic is extremely sensitive in Europe. But we are also open to changes. For example, there has been a recent election and there also has been the freeing of Aung San Suu Kyi. We have reacted by softening some of the sanctions. We are ready to be reactive to positive developments in that country. But much more should be done. And by the way, I believe ASEAN is playing a positive role by putting pressure on Myanmar to walk in the right direction. Now, as you say there are human rights problems in some of these countries, I don’t want to single out any one. We are going to address it in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and also in the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which are political angles in these kinds of agreements. And we have the policy that a PCA comes before the FTA, or at least simultaneously.
Would the EU negotiate one-by-one until the tenth country? Would there be a limitation on the number of countries that will negotiate with the EU?
We negotiate with any country that asks us to negotiate. I think it’s clear that in the moment we would not be ready to engage FTA negotiations with Myanmar. There’s no certain limitation and I hope that limitations will disappear. But for now, if Myanmar were to ask us to negotiate on a free trade agreement, we would say no. http://www.eastwindburma.net/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=812:eu-to-negotiate-fta-with-all-asean-countries-except-myanmar&catid=81:myanmar-news&Itemid=458
Monday, May 9, 2011
News & Articles on Burma-Monday, 08 May, 2011
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