US Wants to Put Asean ‘Into Its Pocket’: Junta Media

A Burmese state-run newspaper on Sunday said that the United States is trying to sound out the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and “put it into its pocket.”

The New Light of Myanmar said in a news commentary that if Asean does what the US has asked, it will fall under the control of the US. It also criticized US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for urging Asean members to put pressure on the Burmese military government to enact democratic reforms.

Clinton, who attended the Asean Regional Forum last week in Thailand, called on the Burmese junta to release pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi and, as an incentive, hinted that such a move could help convince the current US administration to lift its investment sanctions on the military-ruled country.

Detained for nearly 14 of the last 20 years, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi is currently on trial for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest and faces a possible five-year prison sentence.

The US foreign secretary also exerted pressure on Asean to expel Burma from the regional body if Suu Kyi was not released.


“In reality, her remarks amounted to interfering in the affairs of Asean,” reported The New Light of Myanmar. “If Asean does what the US secretary of state has asked, it will come under control of the US. This means the US is trying to sound the Asean out and put it into its pocket.”

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday, Thankin Chan Tun, a veteran Burmese politician, said, “It [the newspaper article] will not bring about anything good for the Burmese people. On the other hand, the US could put more sanctions on the country.

“In fact, Burma is a small country, so the military regime should try to be on good terms with other nations,” he added.

The commentary also suggested that US calls for Suu Kyi's release were part of a long-term plan to place someone in power in Burma whom it can control.

“It shows that the Burmese military regime will do what they like and are not concerned about the international community,” said Han Thar Myint, a spokesperson for the opposition National League for Democracy, on Monday. “Moreover, it shows that they do not intend to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”

irrawaddy