US offering golden opportunity to Burma, Asean: Surin

"This is a seismic change for the region's diplomacy," Surin said in reference to the two-day visit by Kurt Campbell, assistant state-secretary for East Asia and Pacific affairs and the US ambassador to the Asean Scott Marciel.

He said the visit opened up a wide horizon of potential opportunities for both Asean and Burma.

"We hope that the Burmese leadership and the opposition will recognise that this a golden opportunity for all of us in the region," he said. However, he pointed out that it takes two to tango.

"Now that a space has been opened up and some obstructions have been removed, I hope all key players on the stalemate in the game of chess over Burma issues will adjust their strategies and make the right moves to go forward," he said.

The Asean chief was referring to the latest moves by Washington to relax some of the restrictions against Burma put in place by previous US administrations.

"I have told Prime Minister Thien Sein that all Asean member states would be ready to extend their hands in whatever form appropriate to make sure that the planned election next year is accepted by the Burmese people and leads to a genuine reconciliation," he said.