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Singapore - The signing of the ASEAN charter, long anticipated as a moment of triumph, turned out to be a face-saving occasion with Myanmar the unexpected victor, analysts said.


'Myanmar got everything it wanted,' said Hiro Katsumata, an analyst at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. 'It's in a very comfortable position.'


Critics, who have long lamented the ineffectiveness of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) over four decades, acknowledged surprise that the body would cave in to such a degree after the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in September.


ASEAN's kowtowing 'wasn't expected to go this far,' Katsumata said. 'What it shows is the long policy of non-interference in each other's affairs, the ASEAN way, will continue as usual.'


'This is a major victory for Myanmar,' he added.


Complying with Myanmar's objections, the ASEAN leaders late Monday called off a scheduled address by UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari to the 10 member countries plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.


Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who had arranged Gambari's briefings, said Myanmar emphasized that Gambari, who visited the country four times, 'should only report to the UN Security Council and not to ASEAN or the East Asia Summit.'


The charter makes ASEAN a legal entity, sets democracy as a goal, pledges to set up a human rights body, aims to turn the bloc into a single market by 2015, empowers the heads of state as the highest policy-making officials, prohibits nuclear energy and addresses climate change.


The lack of an effective enforcement mechanism, continuation of decision making by consensus and retention of the non-intervention tenet have been the focus of widespread criticism.


'ASEAN has given the ruling junta carte blanche to do as they like,' said Debbie Stothard, with the Bangkok-based Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma.


'I'm deeply shocked,' she said. 'ASEAN is committing suicide.'


Since the violent crackdown, the Burmese generals have failed to take meaningful action toward a process of democratic reform within the country and towards ensuring against future human rights, said the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development.


'The final text of the charter is a major victory for Myanmar,' Katsumata said. As for ASEAN's standing, 'It doesn't look good,' he added.


The grouping has been counting on the charter to alter the long-held perception of many that it was only good for talk 'without teeth.'


The geopolitical implications must also be considered, Katsumata said. 'In no way can ASEAN put effective pressure on Myanmar and China certainly won't.'


Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein told the leaders his country was 'capable' of handling the current problems and was already on the third of a seven-step roadmap to democracy.


Yangon is beginning to draft its constitution, he said, adding it would still take time because it has to hold consultations with all the ethnic groups.


The ASEAN leaders stressed the Myanmar government should work with the UN to open up a meaningful dialogue with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy, release all political detainees, work toward a peaceful transition to democracy and address the economic difficulties faced by the people.


They leaders stressed that they will strive 'to prevent the Myanmar issue from obstructing ASEAN's integration efforts' and the establishment of an ASEAN community.


 Deutsche Presse-Agentur
20 November 2007