Asean Leaders Say Sanctions on Burma Should Be Lifted—Now

Asean leaders urged the lifting of economic sanctions against Burma, while the Burmese president made his first public statement on the nation’s recent by-elections, calling them “very successful” at the Asean Summit in Phnom Penh yesterday. “Asean has consistently spoken of lifting sanctions, but now, more than ever, it’s very timely,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said. … “The lifting of sanctions will, we believe, contribute to the democratic process and economic viability,” said Kao Kim Hourn, secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The Asean leaders agree on the lifting of all sanctions on Myanmar.” …