ASEAN - A problem-maker not a probl

[altsean@xxxxxxxxxx]

Press Release

ASEAN - A PROBLEM-MAKER NOT A PROBLEM-SOLVER

Manila, Sat.: - An Asean -based network of human rights activists have
applauded Thailand Foreign Minister Dr Surin Pitsuwan?s speech delivered at
the opening session of the Asean Ministerial Meeting. 

Altsean - Burma (the Alternative Asean Network on Burma) welcomed Dr
Surin?s assertion that Asean needs to base its solidarity on "open
dialogue" and that Asean needs to be more "people - centred."

Altsean - Burma Coordinator Debbie Stothard said that Asean was in danger
of turning into a club of fossilised golf players if it ignored Dr Surin?s
comments. 

"The credibility of Asean has been severely undermined because it has been
unwilling, as a body. To wake up to regional realities. 

"Asean has indulged in a series of fumbles and miscalculations in regard to
Burma, causing more misery to the people of Burma, and increased
difficulties to its neighbours. Even as they continue being polite to each
other, their elected colleagues in Burma are being detained and tortured. 

"In the case of East Timor, Asean does not appear to have done anything
about a significant problem in its front yard but instead left it up to the
UN and Portugal. 

"It appears that Asean, in the past year, has been more of a problem-maker
than a problem-solver. 

"Instead of taking a pro-active role to directly solve human crisis in the
region, governments have tended to politely ignore the mess and leave it to
others to clean up," said Ms Stothard. 

ENDS. 



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A L T S E A N - B U R M A
Alternative Asean Network on Burma
Tel/Fax: 66 2 693 4515 * <altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>