PRESS STATEMENT

26 JULY 2005

ON THE OCCASION OF THE ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING (AMM), LAOS, 26-29 JULY 2005

On the deferment of Myanmar as ASEAN Chair 2006

Today’s decision confirms the fact that the world has known for almost 20 years – that the situation in Myanmar is extremely grave, with no semblance of democracy in the country.

ASEAN ministers have demonstrated skillful diplomacy and prudence in Vientiane. However, this should not be seen as an excuse to ignore the urgent need for political reforms in Myanmar. Myanmar will continue to afflict ASEAN long after this debate on Chairmanship is over.

ASEAN now needs to demonstrate that it is capable of handling its own conflict in the region, by setting out a plan of action, with a firm and detailed timetable that is inclusive of all stakeholders.

Thus, in spite of the decision made today by the Myanmar regime, ASEAN must ensure that the regime will fulfill its promises made to the organization – on the commencement of genuine political reforms, national reconciliation, and the release of political prisoners including Nobel Peace Laureate and democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) will continue to advocate for the day when the people of Myanmar can join us as free and democratic citizens of ASEAN.

Released by,

Teresa Kok

Secretary of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC)

Member of Parliament, Malaysia

[For Press Interviews, please contact Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, chairperson of AIPMC TEL: +60-12-218 6699; Teresa Kok, secretary of AIPMC TEL: +60-19-3894050]

PRESS STATEMENT

25 JULY 2005

ON THE OCCASION OF THE ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING (AMM)

VIENTIANNE, LAOS, 26-29 JULY 2005

ASEAN Chair 2006: Region’s credibility at stake In the past few months, ASEAN members, including esteemed Members of Parliament in the region under the umbrella of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Caucus on Democracy in Myanmar (AIPMC), have worked hard to persuade Myanmar to voluntarily defer the chair until genuine reforms are achieved.

A series of statements have been made from various ASEAN capitals, that the Myanmar military government is expected to announce a deferral at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), yet there have been no real indicators

that the Yangon authorities are inclined to do so.

It is possible that the Myanmar authorities will flout ASEAN concerns and attempt to put off the question of the 2006 chair until the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this December. If Myanmar refuses to accede to ASEAN’s polite diplomacy, we urge ASEAN to take the initiative to deny Myanmar the chair.

ASEAN should have no choice as Myanmar’s recalcitrance has forced such an unprecedented action. ASEAN is morally obligated to do this, to safeguard the reputation of the entire region.

If Myanmar does defer the chair, this should not be seen as an excuse to ignore the urgent need for reforms in Myanmar. Regardless of the decision made by the Myanmar regime, they must still fulfill their promises made to

ASEAN – on the commencement of genuine political reforms, including national reconciliation with ethnic groups andthe release of political prisoners including Nobel Peace Laureate and democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

AIPMC urges ASEAN to defer Myanmar’s chairmanship for one year, on condition that it presents to ASEAN a timetable to transit towards democracy and national reconciliation. ASEAN must safeguard its own credibility and legitimacy by making clear it will not be swindled by the Myanmar regime’s diversions and rhetoric. Nothing less than a detailed timeframe that is fully inclusive of all stakeholders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, imprisoned ethnic nationality leader Hkun Htun Oo and other ethnic nationality leaders, will be acceptable.

The orchestration of elaborate conventions, convened under draconian principles and without the participation of key stakeholders, is not an indicator of democratic reform nor will it be legitimate to serve as a prerequisite for so-called free elections.

A mere façade of political reform will not lead to stability and progress in Myanmar and will not alleviate the negative impacts felt throughout the region.

ASEAN must realize that the issue of Myanmar cannot be shelved again. Allowing Myanmar to assume the chairmanship will essentially be a validation of their tradition of broken promises, thus reducing the leverage ASEAN has with Myanmar.

Released by:

Teresa Kok

Secretary of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Caucus on Democracy in Myanmar

(AIPMC)

Member of Parliament, Malaysia

[For Press Interviews, please contact Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, chairperson of AIPMC TEL: +60-12-218 6699; Teresa Kok, secretary of AIPMC TEL:

+60-19-3894050]