The message was signed by CALD Chairman, Liberal Party President and Philippine Senator Franklin Drilon; CALD and Liberal Party Secretary General and Philippine MP, Dr. Neric Acosta; former CALD Chairman and leader of the Cambodian national opposition, Sam Rainsy, MP; former CALD Secretary General and Taiwanese parliamentarian Bi-Khim Hsiao of the Democratic Progressive Party; Liberal Party Sri Lanka President Dr. Rajiva Wijesinha; and CALD Executive Director John Joseph S. Coronel.
ASEAN CALLS ON MYANMAR TO SPEED UP DEMOCRATIZATION Despite the lobbying of the Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus, a group of lawmakers within ASEAN countries, to expel Myanmar from the association government, ASEAN leaders have disregarded the appeal. However, international focus on human rights concerns finally gave them cause to push the Myanmar government. ASEAN leaders at the 11th Summit urged Myanmar to expedite its implementation of its political program, Roadmap to Democracy. Myanmar former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt released this program in August 2003. It is a systematic plan that outlines the steps necessary to building a nation. It includes provisions for reconvening a National Convention, for drafting a new constitution and its adoption through a national referendum and for holding elections for legislative bodies. Ignoring ASEAN’s policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of its member states, the 11th ASEAN Summit Chairman and Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also issued a statement calling on Myammar to release its political detainees. While the statement did not specify particular names, Aung San Suu Kyi tops the list of political prisoners under house arrest. This statement was in line with the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Charter of the summit, which stated the “promotion of democracy, human rights and obligations, transparency and good governance and strengthening democratic institutions” is of utmost importance. In response, Myanmar has invited current chair of ASEAN, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to visit Myanmar and assess the situation there for himself. Several parliamentarians from CALD member parties are part of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus. 61