GMA, Annan ask Myanmar to hasten democratization process

JAKARTA (via PLDT) – United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and President Arroyo reiterated their call for Myanmar to speed up its democratization process in consensus with its neighbors in the Southeast Asian region.

Annan particularly cited the Philippines as an example of the rebirth of democracy in the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) region.

"That’s exactly what the Secretary General said, that they feel the pace of democratization could be further stepped up. That’s the reason why the UN has been seeking the support of leaders, particularly (in) the ASEAN countries," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.

On the part of the President, Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo told Annan that the Myanmar issue is normally handled "the ASEAN way" and its member countries usually look to Thailand as being the closest neighbor of Myanmar as far as the issue is concerned.

"But there seems to be a consensus that this issue (of restoring democracy) has to be stepped up," Bunye said.

In a speech before the Asia-Africa Business summit, President Arroyo touted democracy as the best political system of government in the world.

"I hope all nations of Africa, Asia and the world would never lose site of the promise of democracy and the democratic form of government," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"For those of us who live under it, we sometimes complain but democracy is still the best system in the world," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo told the summit that history is on the side of those who wished for democracy and a democratic form of government. "And you will bear witness to democracy’s promise within the coming generation," she said.

Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo deliberately avoided mentioning the issue of Myanmar’s chairmanship of the ASEAN this year out of a sense of propriety.

"This is something we’d rather not take up out of delicadeza (sense of propriety). The President sort of anticipated the question, that’s why (she) did not specifically take up the chairmanship issue."

Myanmar is currently under a military junta. Observers said allowing Myanmar to head the next ASEAN summit would also give undue recognition to its military-backed government.

Bunye said if Myanmar gives in to pressure and defers its chairmanship, the Philippines stands to benefit since it is next in line to chair ASEAN.

"It is not (an) opportune (time) for the Philippines to raise it (the issue of Myanmar’s chairmanship of ASEAN)," he said.

Annan told a news conference of his meeting with Senior General Than Shwe, the chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar.

Annan said he had also discussed with Shwe the need to fast-track democratization of the country and release Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from detention and allow her to participate in political processes.

"He (Annan) has been quite vocal about it. That has been his stand and that is something that he repeated, not only in meeting with the President but with other heads of state, particularly from the ASEAN," Bunye said.

Bunye explained the Philippines – out of delicadeza – has taken no active stand on the issue of whether Myanmar should chair the next ASEAN. He said any move otherwise would be "too imprudent."

"It is not for the Philippines to take this (chairmanship issue) up actively, (because of) our unique circumstances," he said.

Earlier, Mrs. Arroyo stated the Philippines would not initiate any moves to oust Myanmar from the ASEAN chairmanship.

She said the Philippines would only support the majority consensus on the issue.

Several Philippine lawmakers have called on ASEAN governments to strip Myanmar of its chairmanship next year citing the continuing human rights violations of its military regime and the detention of Suu Kyi.

Myanmar is scheduled to preside over the ASEAN body next year with the Philippines having its turn in 2007. The chairmanship of ASEAN is conducted alphabetically.

ASEAN members, however, remain divided over the issue since Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines seek a democratic change in Myanmar.

Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, on the other hand, have taken a more supportive stand of Myanmar, invoking ASEAN’s long-held tradition of consensus-building and non-interference in the internal affairs of member-nations.