Burma shrugs off Asean criticism

Nyan Win said Burma had the support of all Asean nations

Burma will not cede its forthcoming chairmanship of a regional grouping, Foreign Minister Nyan Win has said.

The US and EU have threatened to boycott meetings of the Association of South East Asian Nations if Burma heads it as scheduled next year.

The West says Rangoon should move closer to democracy, but Nyan Win said Burma would meet its "responsibility".

Foreign ministers from the 10 Asean nations are gathering in Cebu, the Philippines, for a regular summit.

Nyan Win told reporters that US and European opposition to the rotating chairmanship of Asean being taken by Burma, also known as Myanmar, was not shared in the region.

"That is their attitude. It is not ours," he said.

"We can decide ourselves because we are an independent country."

He said the leadership was Burma's responsibility, adding: "This is all the Asean attitude."

Democracy demands

Correspondents say they expect the matter of Burma to be a focus of the foreign ministers' two-day meeting.

ASEAN MEMBERS Brunei Burma Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam

Philippines Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo acknowledged the issue, saying: "We are urging [Burma] to follow the road map to democracy."

Burma joined the regional grouping in 1997, despite opposition from the West, which supports the work of Asean through involvement in meetings and funding of various projects.

The US and the EU have imposed sanctions on Burma and its ruling military leadership.

They criticise Rangoon for a poor human rights record, treatment of opposition politicians such as Aung San Suu Kyi and lack of progress towards democracy.