Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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October 10, 2007

Southeast Asian Nations Oppose Sanctions Against Burma
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=19CF0FC:A6F02AD83191E160CB5B5FA8AC8B8D489574F7DCC14957C0 Instead, countries
are pushing Burmese leadership to open unconditional talks with
opposition leaders The U.N. Security Council is debating whether to
condemn and punish Burma's government for its violent crackdown on
pro-democracy demonstrations.  But Burma's Southeast Asian neighbors
are pushing the Burmese leadership to open an unconditional talks with
opposition leaders.  Chad Bouchard reports from Bangkok.







U.N. Security CouncilThe U.N. Security Council is expected to release
a statement during the next few days "strongly deploring" the Burmese
military's use of force against peaceful protesters.

Even that statement is not as strong as some of the council members,
especially Western countries, would have liked.  But China, a
permanent member of the Security Council with veto powers, pushed
successfully for softer language.

China says it is opposed to sanctions to force the Burmese military
leadership toward democratic reforms.  And so do Burma's fellow
members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.

ASEAN condemned the violence in Burma in the days following the
crisis.  But Dino Patti Djalal, spokesman for Indonesian President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, says Indonesia's position coincides with
China's.

"Well, first we do not believe in sanctions.  Sanctions have not
worked on Myanmar, as it has proved, and we do believe in engagement,"
Djalal said. "So we also do not think at the moment that what happens
in Myanmar is a matter that will disrupt regional security.  I mean
there is a political problem in Myanmar, but it is not an
international security issue, so it needs to be put in the proper
perspective."

ASEAN members are instead trying to persuade the Burmese generals to
hold unconditional talks with the leader of the opposition, Nobel
Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.







Combo of file photos show Burma Senior General Than Shwe (L) and
democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (R)The top Burmese general, Than
Shwe, told a special U.N. envoy that he would meet with Aung San Suu
Kyi, but only under conditions that the democracy leader is unlikely
to accept.

Earlier this week, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar urged
Burma's leaders to hold such talks without conditions, before the
international community imposes stronger measures.  The Singapore
government has also called for unconditional talks.

Singapore's elder statesman, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, was
much more blunt on September 27, at the height of the crackdown.  He
referred to Burma's ruling military council as "dumb generals."  He
said they had mismanaged the economy badly, and would face revolt if
their excesses continued. 

The Burmese leadership has appointed a deputy minister to begin talks
with Aung San Suu Kyi.  The move is the latest in an apparent effort
to keep international condemnation to a minimum.  Whether the special
liaison will attach conditions to any meetings is not yet known. 




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