Asean retreat to tackle Thailand, Myanmar issues

Thailand’s commitment to restoring democracy after the ouster of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Myanmar’s implementation of a road map to democracy will be discussed by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders during their retreat in Cebu next week.

Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of ASEAN Affairs Assistant Secretary Luis Cruz said that while ASEAN members are guided by the principle of non-interference in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), the issue of Myanmar’s compliance to road map to democracy and Thailand’s assurance to restore democracy and lift martial law will be discussed behind closed doors by the leaders.

"The issue of non-interference doesn’t mean the ASEAN has nothing to say on these. There’s constructive engagement done during the retreat," Cruz said. "This is an agenda always considered by ASEAN. It’s always on top of the agenda except these are issues discussed behind closed doors."

Cruz said the non-interference norm is enshrined even in the charters of other regional organizations.

The ASEAN is closely watching the developments in Thailand after the military overthrew Shinawatra in September.

The Philippines, which is now chairing the ASEAN, has called on Myanmar to implement democratic reform and release Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest, and to receive the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General.

The ASEAN would welcome it if Myanmar’s decision is to release political prisoners and Suu Kyi.

Myanmar’s junta leader, Senior General Than Shwe, is not attending the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu.

Government sources said the junta leader has sent his regrets to the Philippine government as host of the summit because he is preoccupied with the national convention for the drafting of Myanmar’s constitution.