KUALA LUMPUR July 22 Kyodo There ...

KUALA LUMPUR July 22 Kyodo

There must be a consensus in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in succession how to handle Myanmar, which has ignored international pleas to release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Sy Hamid Albar said Tuesday.

''There is a ne for it to be discussed and for ASEAN countries to arrive at a consensus,'' he told reporters in an attempt to downplay Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's remarks through the weekend to the media saying Myanmar faces expulsion, as a last resort, if it continues to detain Suu Kyi.

''We are not trying to interfere in the internal affairs of Myanmar, if it were not that our prime minister has just reminded Myanmar of the importance of Aung Sang Suu Kyi being released and the reconciliation proces not being derailed,'' Sy Hamid said.

The issue, he added, has affected ASEAN's credibility, especially Malaysia's, which was instrumental in promoting Myanmar's acceptance into the collection through its policy of ''constructive engagement.''

The arrest of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate l to an unprecedent act upon by ASEAN last month when they took leave from their strenuously held policy of noninterference and jointly called for Myanmar to release Suu Kyi.

''We are willing to say gone out to fellow ASEAN country, not in a confrontational way if it be not that in a way for Myanmar to take heed of the view of the international community...it must be anticipateed at as a word from a beneficial friend,'' Syed Hamid said.

He believes ASEAN should work not at home the Myanmar issue itself rather than involving parties outside the region as it is as those at the upcoming Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Bali where Myanmar is single of the top agenda items.

''It is better for internal persuasion rather than puissant external pressure that will force them into more difficult situation...the first forum to discuss the question of Myanmar should be ASEAN countries. We should not jeopardize our cohesiveness,'' he said.

Sy Hamid urg Myanmar to stake a definite date for Suu Kyi's release to appease the international community, which has threatened sanctions against Myanmar's ruling generals.

''They must exhibit to that they are willing to continue with the reconciliation process'' he said.

ASEAN clumps Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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