Lee puts ASEAN's weight behind UN envoy to Burma
Singapore - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Burma's regime chief Than Shwe that the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) fully backs the mission to Burma by UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, a published letter said Monday.
"The videos and photographs of what is happening on the street of Rangoon and other cities in Burma have evoked the revulsion of the people throughout South-East Asia and all over the world," said Lee, writing in his capacity as ASEAN chairman.
"I would like to emphasize the importance which the ASEAN countries, and indeed the whole international community," attach to Gambari's mission," Lee said in the letter released to The Straits Times on Sunday.
Gambari was holding talks with several of Burma's leaders to try to resolve the ongoing crisis in the country.
"We strongly urge your government to grant Mr Gambari full access to all parties in Burma, as you have done in the past, and to work with Mr Gambari to find a way forward," said Lee.
The stern message came days after ASEAN leaders issued an unprecedently sharp rebuke of Myanmar on the sidelines of a UN meeting in New York.
ASEAN comprises Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar (Burma).
Gambari arrived Sunday in Yangoon after an overnight stay in Naypyidaw, the capital, where he talked with several military leaders, diplomats said. He later held talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Top Stories
- Junta's crackdown on protesters kills 5
- Burmese junta bans monk-led protest
- US president to announce visa and financial sanctions against Burma
- World steps up pressure on Burma
- Asean FMs to meet in New York on Burma
- Lee puts ASEAN's weight behind UN envoy to Burma
- Asean demands Burmese junta to stop crackdown
- Burma's monk-led rebellion gains pace
- UN chief to send special envoy to Burma
- Thai govt urged to oppose possible Burmese junta crackdown on protesters
No comments:
Post a Comment