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Asean leaders approve Burma chairmanship bid | Asean leaders approve Burma chairmanship bid |
(40 minutes later) | |
Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have agreed that Burma can chair the regional bloc in 2014, amid some signs of reform in the country. | Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have agreed that Burma can chair the regional bloc in 2014, amid some signs of reform in the country. |
The move came at a summit of the 10-member group in Indonesia. | The move came at a summit of the 10-member group in Indonesia. |
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told the BBC the decision was unanimous. | Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told the BBC the decision was unanimous. |
He said member states believed that Burma had made significant progress down the path of democracy. | He said member states believed that Burma had made significant progress down the path of democracy. |
The announcement came as Burma's pro-democracy party appeared poised to rejoin the country's political process. | The announcement came as Burma's pro-democracy party appeared poised to rejoin the country's political process. |
'Growing' | 'Growing' |
The leadership of the Asean regional grouping rotates on an annual basis, but Burma was not allowed to take the top position last time because of its human rights record. | The leadership of the Asean regional grouping rotates on an annual basis, but Burma was not allowed to take the top position last time because of its human rights record. |
Some critics say it is still too early to award the high-profile role to Burma, where between 600 and 1,000 political prisoners are thought to remain behind bars. | Some critics say it is still too early to award the high-profile role to Burma, where between 600 and 1,000 political prisoners are thought to remain behind bars. |
But Mr Natalegawa said it was important to recognise that the situation had changed. | |
"It's not about the past, it's about the future, what leaders are doing now," he said. "We're trying to ensure the process of change continues." | |
Ko Ko Hlaing, chief political adviser to the Burmese president, said Asean had welcomed Burma as a responsible leader. | |
"Be assured that we are now growing into a democratic society and we will do all our responsibilities and duties as a responsible government, reflecting the desires of the Myanmar (Burmese) people," he said. | "Be assured that we are now growing into a democratic society and we will do all our responsibilities and duties as a responsible government, reflecting the desires of the Myanmar (Burmese) people," he said. |
But US President Barack Obama, speaking before the decision was announced, said more was needed from Burma. | |
"Some political prisoners have been released. The government has begun a dialogue. Still, violations of human rights persist," he said in a speech to the Australian parliament. | |
"So we will continue to speak clearly about the steps that must be taken for the government of Burma to have a better relationship with the United States." | |
NLD return? | |
Burma held its first elections in two decades a year ago - polls which saw military rule replaced with a military-backed civilian-led government. | |
The new leadership then freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and has opened dialogue with her. | |
Her National League for Democracy party is to meet on Friday to decide whether to rejoin the political process. | |
It boycotted the 2010 polls because of electoral laws that banned its leaders - former political prisoners - from standing as candidates. | |
This law and another that required registered parties to "safeguard" the military-written constitution have now been changed. | This law and another that required registered parties to "safeguard" the military-written constitution have now been changed. |
Ms Suu Kyi told the BBC she expected most of her party to support a decision to run in forthcoming by-elections. | Ms Suu Kyi told the BBC she expected most of her party to support a decision to run in forthcoming by-elections. |