ASEAN SG optimise to Myanmar election

Da nang,August 27
The Secretary-General of ASEAN has welcomed the news that Myanmar would hold its general elections on 7 November 2010. "It is certainly a welcome relief in the sense that the date is now definite. Not only has ASEAN has been anxious about the preparations for the general elections in Myanmar, but the entire global community has been concerned that it would not be free, fair and effective as a mechanism of national reconciliation."

"I hope that Myanmar will prove the sceptics wrong and Myanmar will respond positively to appeal for freedom of mobility and expression during the lead up to the elections scheduled for 7 November," said Dr Surin Pitsuwan in Da Nang, Viet Nam, in response to media queries. Dr Surin is in Da Nang to attend the 42nd ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting.

Dr Surin’s comments followed a statement issued recently by the Foreign Minister of Viet Nam, as the ASEAN Chair. Welcoming the decision by Myanmar on the date of the elections, the statement said that the region “encourages Myanmar to further accelerate progress in the implementation of the Roadmap for National Reconciliation and Democracy, including in preparations for the [scheduled] elections leading to a constitutional Government in [the country].”

ASEAN, the statement went on to say, underscores the importance of national reconciliation in Myanmar and the holding of the general elections in a free, fair and inclusive manner, thus contributing to Myanmar’s stability and development.

The statement also stressed the need for Myanmar to continue to work with ASEAN and the United Nations in this process. “For its part, ASEAN expresses its readiness to render assistance as deemed appropriate by Myanmar and in accordance with the ASEAN Charter. ASEAN will keep close consultations with Myanmar in this regard.”