ASEAN chair Malaysia flays Myanmar over democracy

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Reuters) Malaysia used its role as chair of Southeast Asia's regional grouping to make a withering attack on Myanmar today, accusing it of snubbing its neighbours and foot-dragging over democratic reform.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Malaysia's foreign minister made his strongest criticism of Myanmar, a fellow member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), though he stopped short of saying what the grouping planned to do about it.

''There is genuine concern among the majority of ASEAN members that Myanmar is putting into question ASEAN's credibility and image,'' Syed Hamid Albar wrote, adding that the 10-member grouping could no longer defend the junta unless it cooperated.

''Unfortunately, Myanmar appears to be deliberate in its disregard of our goodwill and concern,'' he wrote.

ASEAN foreign ministers meet this week and are planning to include some milder criticism of their most awkward member in a joint communique, according to a draft seen by Reuters.

The draft also calls for the release from house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy won elections in 1990 but was denied power. The military has ruled for more than 40 years.

ASEAN has committed itself to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and become increasingly concerned that Myanmar's pariah status in the West could jeopardise its efforts to build a bigger role for itself in world affairs.

But ASEAN has always said it lacks procedures for expelling or suspending a member.

Malaysia's latest remarks suggested that ASEAN might be making it so uncomfortable for Myanmar that the generals would be forced to withdraw from the grouping, Singapore-based regional analyst Bruce Gale said.

''We are moving towards that direction ... There could be some sort of face-saving arrangement for Myanmar, not thrown out but it decides to walk out,'' he said. ''People are discussing this option behind closed doors.'' ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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