No grounds to expel Myanmar: Thai PM

BANGKOK, July 23 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday there are “insufficient grounds" for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to expel military-ruled Myanmar from the regional bloc.

The Thai prime minister spoke in his capacity as current chair of ASEAN in response to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s comment during a Thai television interview Wednesday that the regional bloc should expel Myanmar if it does not free pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mr. Abhisit said ASEAN already restated its stance that it wants to see Myanmar achieve democracy and is monitoring the situation there, including the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The prime minister said Mrs Clinton's message is only one view on Myanmar, reflecting the US viewpoint on the issue.

"There are not enough grounds to expel Myanmar from ASEAN", the Thai premier said. "If we do that, it will further isolate Myanmar and would not solve the problem."

Myanmar says it is continues its national reconciliation process, while insisting that the detention of Mrs Suu Kyi is an issue of law enforcement, Mr Abhisit said. ASEAN will wait to see Myanmar stance on Aung San Suu Kyi case before taking further action.

"ASEAN and the West have the same goal, but we may not implement the same policy", he said. "We have to continue the policy of constructive engagement which will help solve the problem."

Other countries far away may have their own approach toward Myanmar but neighbouring countries or those in the same region have to carry on a different approach in a different form of relations, the Thai leader said.

Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is facing a trial for breaching the terms of her house arrest after an American swam uninvited to her lakeside house. The trial raised concerns from the world community, with many countries and leaders calling for her release. (TNA)