GOOD AFTERNOON MYANMAR…
November 21st, 2007
Nine men and one woman representing the 10 nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations signed an economic charter that ought to have been cause for great celebration. But of the 10 leaders assembled in Singapore, only Philippine President Gloria Arroyo managed to smile for the cameras. Myanmar had spoiled the party.
From Reuters:
Under the crystal chandeliers of the Shangri-La hotel ballroom, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was first to sign the charter that enshrines democracy and human rights.
He was followed by the leaders of the young democracies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines; the leaders of one-party states Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam; the absolute monarch of Brunei and the head of the government the Thai military installed after overthrowing a democratically elected government.
“The new charter will be of benefit to all members. It is a historic moment, because the new charter will address ongoing challenges and opportunities,” Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told Reuters as he walked the red carpet.
Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein stood stiff and stern throughout the ceremony of the 13th ASEAN summit. Of the other leaders, only Philippine President Gloria Arroyo managed a smile.
They may have had reason to be glum.
The United States warned on the eve of a summit to mark the group’s 40th anniversary that further inaction on Myanmar could cost ASEAN a free trade deal, the EU tightened sanctions on Myanmar, and Arroyo broke ASEAN ranks by saying the Philippine Congress might not ratify the charter if Myanmar did not move towards democracy.
When you lie down with dogs…
[...] its at the end no wonder, when “Have coffee Will” writes about an historical moment in Asian [...]
[...] “Have coffee Will†writes about the photo, an historical moment in Asian history: “But of the 10 leaders assembled in Singapore, only Philippine President Gloria Arroyo managed to smile for the cameras. Myanmar had spoiled the party. “ Kritisch unter die Lupe nimmt das Ergebnis auch Ko htike in Wort und Karikatur. [...]