ASEAN Grants Observer Status to Myanmar

Southeast Asia’s biggest trade group embraced Myanmar’s military regime Saturday, dismissing efforts to isolate the junta accused of abusing human rights and repressing pro-democracy activists.

The Assn. of Southeast Asian Nations ignored international calls for strong action and instead granted Myanmar observer status within the seven-nation diplomatic club.

The group also accused the United States and other nuclear powers of “strategic posturing” and urged them to sign a treaty declaring Southeast Asia free of nuclear weapons.

Some nuclear powers have objected on strategic grounds to clauses in the treaty, which bans the use, manufacture and stockpiling of nuclear weapons in the seven-nation area.

Myanmar’s acceptance by the group as an observer--a step toward full membership--represents a breakthrough for its military rulers. They have been ostracized by many countries for suppressing pro-democracy activists led by 1991 Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

The foreign ministers warmly applauded Myanmar Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw when he took the podium for a first-ever address at their annual meeting.

“Today is an historic moment for Southeast Asia,” he said.

One by one, all seven ministers in the group heartily welcomed Myanmar’s intention to become a full member of the group by the end of the century. Laos and Cambodia also intend to join.

Human rights groups have condemned the move to include Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher is expected to arrive in Jakarta over the weekend and hopes to persuade the ministers to do more than simply accommodate the junta.