 Southeast Asian countries have privately sent a "very strong message" to Myanmar's military rulers to accept democratic reforms, the Malaysian foreign minister said Wednesday.
"How strong was it?"
"Very strong." |
Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters that a statement issued Tuesday by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Myanmar may have appeared weak because it had to reflect "a compromised position in order to be acceptable to all."
| Ummm... It didn't seem very strong... |
But "we have sent a very strong message during our meeting," Syed Hamid said, referring to the annual meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers that took place Tuesday. Myanmar's Nyan Win also attended.
| "It was very strong. It only looked weak and ineffectual." |
"Individually when we were having discussions, we sent a very strong signal that unless they change, the pressure is going to continue and this is not good for ASEAN," he said.
What kind of pressure?
"Strong pressure." |
Asked if ASEAN has given Myanmar a deadline to restore democracy, Syed Hamid said "we want it as soon as possible." Tuesday's joint statement by ASEAN called on the Myanmar junta to show "tangible progress" on democratic reforms, and urged it to free political detainees - an apparent reference to Nobellaureate Aung San Suu Kyi. |