ASIAN LAWMAKERS WANT REGIONAL POWERS TO END SUFFERINGS IN MYANMAR

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- A group of Asian lawmakers have criticised
Asean and its dialogue partner India for not doing enough to resolve the human
sufferings in Myanmar -- the only military-ruled state in Southeast Asia.

The Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) wants Asean and India
to play a constructive role to restore democracy in Myanmar by engaging genuine
political dialogue among all parties in the state.

"Things are getting worse in Burma (Myanmar) instead, there are more
refugees fleeing Burma," said Charles Chong, a Singapore parliamentarian and
vice-chair of the AIPMC.

"Asean cannot do on its own because the military generals have made it clear
that the western sanction has no impact so long the two largest neighbours India
and China continue to do big business (with Myanmar)," he added.

Chong said Asean had tried to influence the military leaders for the last 10
years but they were wasted efforts as they failed to convince the junta to
restore democracy and introduce civil rule by holding elections.

Lawmakers across South Asia and Southeast Asia were debating over the role
of regional powers at the "Parliamentarian Solidarity for the Struggle of
Democracy in Myanmar" in Delhi last week.

Sharad Joshi, the convenor of Indian Parliamentarians' Forum for Democracy
in Burma urged regional leaders, especially from the eight-member South Asia
Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to pressure the military regime to
release all political prisoners.

"Asean and SAARC countries should come together for immediate release of all
political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and restoration of democracy in
Burma," he said.

Suu Kyi, the 64-year-old pro-democracy leader, has spent almost 14 of the
past 20 years under house arrest.

The parliamentarians want Myanmar to hold fair and free elections next year,
cease attacks against ethnic groups and review the 2008 constitution before the
elections are held in 2010.
-- BERNAMA