Asean leaders play down body's influence on Burma

"If we can arrive at a common position, that will be very helpful for the process of national reconciliation in Myanmar (Burma)," said Foreign Minister George Yeo.

With the US Senate the latest to call on Asean to suspend Burma over its human rights abuses and rights groups urging sanctions and other tough stands, Yeo said the 40th anniversary summit followed by the East Asia Summit would do "well" if common ground was reached.

With Singapore holding the Asean chairmanship, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the situation in Myanmar is "not sustainable," but Asean's influence on Burma is limited.

"Myanmar is a member of the Asean family," Lee told The Straits Times. "No one wishes a family member ill." 

"Our influence on Myanmar is limited and Myanmar clearly prefers to work with the UN rather than Asean," Lee said 

The body has asked Myanmar's closest neighbours, especially China and India, to encourage Myanmar to cooperate fully with the UN Secretary-General's special Adviser Ibrahim Gambari, Lee said. "We believe that this is the only way forward." 

While the 10 Asean leaders sign a landmark charter hailed as a milestone in the goal of economic integration and a human rights body, students said they would go ahead with a protest despite repeated warnings by Singapore's police.

Three National University of Singapore (NUS) students said they would walk with others in small groups Tuesday down Orchard Road to the Shangri-La hotel, venue for the five-day meeting.

With Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein and Foreign Minister U Nyan Win attending the event, "we felt it would be negligent to do nothing," said a spokeswoman. "We plan to make our voices heard." 

She said the protest would be "a gesture on behalf of those suffering in Myanmar and Singaporeans who are afraid of reprisals if they speak out." She acknowledged police action is expected.

Public demonstrations against Myanmar's junta have flared elsewhere, but police said Singapore's prohibition against outdoor gatherings of more than four people without official approval is in full force during the summit.

The spokeswoman said those planning to participate represent an international selection of students at the city-state's foremost university.

An opposition political party also revealed plans for a forum at a hotel on Monday.

Asean admitted Myanmar a decade ago despite opposition from the United States and the European Union over its human rights record and detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Stringent security measures are in place for the meeting. No civil society groups have received approval for demonstrations, necessary to legally go ahead.

The Asean charter to be signed by the leaders gives the 40-year-old body a legal identity in a move toward a free-trade area by 2015 and a possible European-style regional union.

A final draft commits the members to "strengthen democracy, enhance good governance and the rule of law, and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms." 

Critics have said that Asean's policy of non-interference in other members' affairs and continuation of decision-making by consensus could result in a "paper tiger." 

The charter includes creation of a human rights body, but lacks an effective enforcement mechanism.

The countries need to maintain pressure to prevent any backsliding by Myanmar, said Yeo.

If the leaders "can come out with a statement to support Gambari, to support the process of national reconciliation in Myanmar, calling for a time-bound road to democracy, then there are less chances of backsliding after the summit," he added.//DPA