Arroyo: Senate won’t ratify ASEAN Charter if Suu Kyi isn't freed

National (as of 1/27/2008 1:39 AM)
By MARVIN SY
The Philippine Star

President Arroyo reiterated her call for Myanmar’s military junta to free detained political leader Aung San Suu Kyi as part of its commitment to institute democratic reforms.

Speaking at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the President warned Myanmar that the Philippine Senate would not ratify the ASEAN Charter if it fails to make good on its commitment.

The President noted that when the 10 heads of state, including Myanmar, signed the ASEAN Charter in Singapore last year, the military junta had in effect committed to institute political reforms.

Mrs. Arroyo emphasized that the first step in the reform process would be the release of Suu Kyi.

"We must see political reform. We must see Aung San Suu Kyi released. Our present ASEAN knows our position on this," the President said.

"Not only are we committed to seeing political reforms in Myanmar. Our Senate will not ratify the ASEAN Charter, unless they see real political reforms take place in Myanmar. So we must work together to make the tough choices to make ASEAN real and Aung San Suu Kyi free," she added.

The President has been a strong advocate for political reforms in Myanmar and the release of Suu Kyi from detention.

Opposition and administration senators were united in their call for Myanmar to follow the road map of democracy and release Suu Kyi immediately.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. has been pushing for means to compel Myanmar to become democratic and to release Suu Kyi, including the possible expulsion of the country from ASEAN.

However, several ASEAN nations have strongly adhered to the ASEAN’s policy of non-interference, which has prevented the group from taking any action against Myanmar.

ASEAN is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Suu Kyi has been detained since the late 1980s and though she won the general election in 1990, she was barred from assuming office as Prime Minister by the military junta.