Mysinchew.com, 17 May 2009
BANGKOK (AFP) - Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbours have been largely mute over the upcoming trial of opposition leader Aung San Sui Kyi, in a fresh display of the bloc's failings as a diplomatic force, observers say.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has long pursued a softly-softly approach towards promoting change in its most troublesome member, in contrast to the tough sanctions preferred by Western nations.
But it has little to show for its efforts since admitting Myanmar to the club in 1997, as the ruling generals have kept Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for years and brutally cracked down on protesters in 2007.
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