The party of Burma democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, welcomed the expected endorsement on Thursday of Burma’s bid to chair Southeast Asia’s regional bloc in 2014, saying it would boost political change in the reclusive state.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Wednesday urged leaders of the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) to support Burma’s bid to chair the organisation at their summit on the Indonesian island of Bali, despite concern over human rights expressed by US President Barack Obama.
“Their decision is tantamount to encouraging the present Burmese government to step up the momentum for reforms,” said Nyan Win, a senior official in Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy.
“I think that Burma’s political activities will become more vibrant after assuming the chair and Burma will also become a quality member of Asean.” — Reuters