Asean rejects US call to expel Burma

Asia

Asean rejects US call to expel Burma

Writer: Bangkok Post.com, AFP

Published: 23/07/2009 at 04:20 PM

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will not consider expelling Burma over the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi because it was unlikely it would solve the problem, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday.

His statement came after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the regional bloc to consider expelling Burma if it does not free the Nobel laureate.

Although Asean and Western countries share the same goals regarding democracy, the suggestion could not be taken up for a number of reasons said Mr Abhisit, the current Asean chairman.

"There are not enough grounds to do that," he said.

"We have already done what we can under the Asean mechanism. If Burma is expelled it will further isolate the regime, and would that solve the problem?"

Mr Abhisit said he hoped Wasbhington and the European Union would both understand Asean's position.

"We are still insisting on our policy of constructive engagement and hope that the US will understand," he said.

He, however, called on the Burmese junta to take some action to improve relations with the United States.

Source : bangkokpost.com