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Burma to dominate Asean summit Burma to dominate Asean summit
(about 1 hour later)
The annual summit meeting of foreign ministers from the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) begins on Monday in Singapore.The annual summit meeting of foreign ministers from the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) begins on Monday in Singapore.
They will address some large challenges for the 40-year-old association, among them the issue of Burma's membership.They will address some large challenges for the 40-year-old association, among them the issue of Burma's membership.
The summit will release a full assessment of the relief effort following the cyclone two months ago, which has been co-ordinated by Asean.The summit will release a full assessment of the relief effort following the cyclone two months ago, which has been co-ordinated by Asean.
It also provides a rare forum in which regional powers can meet.It also provides a rare forum in which regional powers can meet.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to meet her North Korean counterpart, the first time such a senior-level meeting has taken place for six years.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to meet her North Korean counterpart, the first time such a senior-level meeting has taken place for six years.
'Emboldened' group'Emboldened' group
Expectations of Asean summits have sunk so low in recent years, the association may suddenly be in danger of exceeding them.Expectations of Asean summits have sunk so low in recent years, the association may suddenly be in danger of exceeding them.
A new Secretary General, Surin Pitsuwan - an outstanding former Thai foreign minister - has breathed new energy into this regional bloc - and even in dealing with its most controversial member, Burma, Asean can finally boast an achievement.A new Secretary General, Surin Pitsuwan - an outstanding former Thai foreign minister - has breathed new energy into this regional bloc - and even in dealing with its most controversial member, Burma, Asean can finally boast an achievement.
Its offer to mediate after the cyclone disaster two months ago was greeted with huge scepticism.Its offer to mediate after the cyclone disaster two months ago was greeted with huge scepticism.
But Asean's long history of conciliation towards the Burmese military government may have helped it bridge the yawning mistrust between the generals and the international donor community.But Asean's long history of conciliation towards the Burmese military government may have helped it bridge the yawning mistrust between the generals and the international donor community.
Its comprehensive report on the relief effort will show that most of the post-cyclone needs were, in the end, met.Its comprehensive report on the relief effort will show that most of the post-cyclone needs were, in the end, met.
Emboldened, Asean is grappling with other regional challenges - a new disaster response plan, food security initiatives, even a new charter, which supposedly enshrines respect for human rights, and is expected to be signed by all members - even Burma - by the end of the year.Emboldened, Asean is grappling with other regional challenges - a new disaster response plan, food security initiatives, even a new charter, which supposedly enshrines respect for human rights, and is expected to be signed by all members - even Burma - by the end of the year.
But the rationale for this association has always been less about what it does, than what it aims to prevent - conflict among its 10 member states, and domination by regional powers like the United States, China and India.But the rationale for this association has always been less about what it does, than what it aims to prevent - conflict among its 10 member states, and domination by regional powers like the United States, China and India.
And bigger regional issues on the sidelines of this summit - notably a meeting of Foreign Ministers from the six parties to the North Korean nuclear talks - are still likely to overshadow anything that Asean itself announces.And bigger regional issues on the sidelines of this summit - notably a meeting of Foreign Ministers from the six parties to the North Korean nuclear talks - are still likely to overshadow anything that Asean itself announces.