NO LET UP ON PHILIPPINE ADVOCACY ON MYANMAR DEMOCRACY – ROMULO

27 September 2007, United Nations, New York – Shortly after giving his full backing to a strongly-worded ASEAN statement calling on Myanmar to desist from using violence against demonstrators and expressing revulsion over reports that that this violence has led to a number of fatalities, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said that there will be no let up on efforts by the ASEAN to convince Myanmar to adopt democratic reforms.

“Today we minced no words in expressing our grave disappointment and serious concern over the senseless violence in Myanmar,” the Secretary told reporters after the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting which resulted in the Statement by the ASEAN Chair on the current developments in Myanmar.

“Our nation’s profound and deep commitment to democracy and human rights have placed us at the forefront of advocating for lasting and meaningful democratic reform in Myanmar at that is where we will stay as we further intensify our efforts towards this end,” the Secretary said.

Secretary Romulo also reiterated the call of ASEAN for Myanmar to exercise the utmost restraint and to seek a political solution. 

The Secretary said that the recent developments in Myanmar, particularly the resort to violence in dealing with democracy protestors, “only means that there will be no let up in all our efforts, as a country and as a member of ASEAN, to convince Myanmar to return and stay on the Roadmap to Democracy.”

“While we are glad that Myanmar listened to the members of ASEAN and allowed the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar , Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, to finally visit Myanmar , we expect that Myanmar will listen to our other concerns,” Secretary Romulo said.

“ Myanmar must resume sincere efforts at national reconciliation with all the concern parties and work towards a peaceful transition to democracy,” the Secretary said, echoing the sentiments contained in the Statement of the ASEAN Chair.

“One key action that Myanmar must take now is to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and allow the political opposition, including the NLD, to participate in Myanmar ’s political life,” Secretary Romulo said.

“I believe that democratic reform can only be achieved by letting those with different views to be heard, to be freely selected by the people and to participate in governance,” the Secretary said.

“The challenges that Myanmar face today can only be addressed by a democratic government, perhaps initially a coalition government.  The crisis caused by high oil prices is just one of many problems that a country in today’s world could face.  These problems can best be solved by an open, pluralistic and democratic government,” the Secretary added. END.