Asean demands Burmese junta to stop crackdown

The military junta admitted that its troops killed at least nine people during the crackdown to the massive protest.

Foreign Ministers of the regional grouping met on Thursday on the side line of the United Nations General Assembly to take common position over the crisis in Burma.

They expressed their revulsion to Burma's Foreign Minister Nyan Win over reports that the demonstrations were being suppressed by violent force and that there been a number of fatalities.

Singaporean foreign minister George Yeo, as the chair of the group, issued a statement after the meeting calling Burma to "exercise utmost restraint and seek a political solution."

They called upon Myanmar to resume its efforts at the national reconciliation with all parties concerned, and work towards a peaceful transition to democracy. The Asean ministers also called for the release of all political detainees including Aung San Suu Kyi, minister Yeo said in a read out statement.

With the support from the Asean, the United Nations special envoy to Burma Ibrahim Gambari got a green right to land in Burma as Nyan Win assured the meeting that his visa would be used in Singapore.

Gambari was in his way to Singapore and expected to get access into Burma in couple of days, said foreign minister Nitya Pibulsonggram.

The Asean asked the Burmese government to fully cooperate with Gambari.

"Gambari's role as neutral interlocutor among all the parties can help defuse the dangerous situation," said the Asean chairman's statement.

Malaysian foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar said Burma should engage with Gambari fully and allow access for him to be able to find solution toward democracy.

"Now there is no going backward, there is a need for political process,… They should not deal the demonstration with violence," Syed told reporters after the Asean meeting.

Burmese foreign minister Nyan Win did not give interview to journalists but Syed said the Burmese only explained what he considered the actual situation accusing some parties tried to create instability within Burmaa.

"But we want to see the tangible side of political reconciliation that Aung San Suu Kyi is released," he said.

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation