Burma Campaign UK today welcomed the ASEM statement on Burma as a sign that European and Asian countries are not being fooled by the Burmese dictatorship’s promises that elections will bring significant change in Burma.
While the statement is far weaker than Burma Campaign UK would like it to be, the fact that the statement calls for continued UN engagement on Burma, and for the government of Burma to cooperate more closely with the UN and international community, is a tacit acknowledgement that the elections in November won’t solve the problems in Burma, and the continued engagement of the international community is necessary.
ASEM countries have agreed to a statement which is very similar to that in 2008, despite a massive diplomatic push by Burma’s generals to win strong Asian support for elections due on 7th November.
“With China and ASEAN countries in ASEM, it is highly unlikely we will ever see a robust statement on Burma from ASEM, so the call for the release of political prisoners and for the dictatorship to engage with continued UN efforts on Burma is welcome,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK.
Burma Campaign UK is calling for the world to unite behind a revived UN-led effort to secure negotiations between the dictatorship and Burma’s democracy movement, including ethnic representatives.
“We are very grateful to the UK and other European governments which fought hard for ASEM to take a strong and principled stance on Burma,” said Mark Farmaner.
ASEM – The Asia-Europe Meeting – brings together Asian and European countries to discuss issues of mutual interest. The summit meeting of ASEM is held every two years. The 8th ASEM summit has just concluded in Brussels, Belgium.
For more information contact Mark Farmaner on 020 7324 4710
ASEM 2010 Summit Statement – Section on Burma
73. Leaders exchanged views on recent developments in Myanmar. They took note of the announcement of national elections on 7 November 2010. They encouraged the government of Myanmar to take the necessary measures to ensure that these elections would be free, fair and inclusive, and would mark a step towards a legitimate, constitutional, civilian system of government. The timely release of those under detention would contribute to these elections to be more inclusive, participatory and transparent. They supported the continuation of the Good Offices Mission of the UN Secretary General and called upon Myanmar to engage and cooperate more closely with the UN and the international community. They stressed the need for the government of Myanmar to engage in dialogue with all parties concerned in an inclusive national reconciliation process. They also touched upon the issue of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. They stated their readiness to remain constructively engaged in achieving the aims of national reconciliation and of improving the economic and social conditions of the people of Myanmar. They reiterated their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and their view that the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of its people.
ASEM 2008 Summit Statement – Section on Burma
Leaders exchanged views on developments in Myanmar. They expressed their unanimous support for the good offices role of the UN Secretary General. The Leaders acknowledged the progress achieved in assisting the post-Nargis relief work by the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) comprising Myanmar, the UN and ASEAN, and the assistance provided by the international community to those in need. They expressed the support to the United Nations to continue to play a constructive role and to the ASEAN led mechanism to continue its good performance in coordinating the ongoing relief and recovery efforts in Myanmar. The Leaders took note of the briefing by Myanmar on the recent developments and prospects. They noted the recent visit to Myanmar last August by the UN Secretary-General Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari and supported the UN to continue its good offices efforts, and they encouraged the Myanmar Government to conduct closer cooperation with the UN. They also encouraged the Myanmar government to engage all stakeholders in an inclusive political process in order to achieve national reconciliation and economic and social development. In this regard, they called for the lifting of restrictions placed on political parties and early further release of those under detention.