LANGKAWI: Southeast Asian nations told Myanmar's military government on Sunday its plan to hold an election amid an escalating civil war should not be its priority, urging the junta to start dialogue and end hostilities immediately. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations called on the warring sides in member nation Myanmar to stop the fighting and told the junta's representative to allow unhindered humanitarian access, said Malaysia's foreign minister as the country takes over chairing ASEAN this year.
"Malaysia wants to know what Myanmar has in mind," Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said after a ministerial retreat on the island of Langkawi. "We told them the election is not a priority."
ASEAN has barred the ruling generals from attending its meetings over their failure to comply. Myanmar is represented by a senior diplomat. "We want Myanmar to adhere to the Five-Point Consensus, to stop hostilities and have dialogue, it's very simple," Mohamad said. "What we want is unhindered humanitarian aid that can reach all in Myanmar." — Reuters
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