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Burma rebuts critics before talks Burma rebuts critics before talks
(about 4 hours later)
Burma has "strongly rejected" regional condemnation of the trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as talks open between Asian and European ministers. European ministers have called for the immediate release of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as they meet with Asian counterparts in talks in Vietnam.
The junta accused Thailand, current chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), of interfering in Burma's internal affairs. She is on trial for violating terms of her detention in Rangoon after an American man swam to her house.
European ministers said Burma's neighbours must take a firm stand and use their influence to bring about changes in Burma.
Burma has "strongly rejected" regional condemnation of the trial.
The junta accused Thailand, current chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), of interfering in Burma's internal affairs by releasing Asean's statement.
Asean last week expressed "grave concern" over the treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi, a rare step by the group.Asean last week expressed "grave concern" over the treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi, a rare step by the group.
Burma's actions are likely to dominate the Asia-Europe meeting (Asem). Europe talks
"This statement issued by the alternate Asean chairman - which is not in conformity with Asean practice, incorrect in facts, interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar - is strongly rejected by Myanmar," the New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported said, using its own name for Burma. Burma's actions are likely to dominate the Asia-Europe meeting (Asem), a two-day gathering of foreign minister from 45 nations - the EU, the Asean, China, Japan, South Korea, India and Pakistan.
"It is sadly noted that the alternate Asean chairman failed to preserve the dignity of Asean, the dignity of Myanmar and the dignity of Thailand," said the statement, which was also carried on state-run television and radio. The EU's External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner called on Asian countries to "commit themselves to engage with this government in such a way that there be changes".
East meets West? Speaking in Bangkok on her way to the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, she said China, India and Asean were "the real neighbours here. They work with the country, and therefore they have the best influence."
Ministers from 45 nations - the EU, the Asean, China, Japan, South Korea, India and Pakistan - are taking part in talks in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout said a message calling for the release of Ms Suu Kyi had been conveyed to Burma's Foreign Minister Nyan Win on the sidelines of the meeting in Vietnam.
Discussions are expected to cover the global economy, climate change, and Burma. British junior foreign minister Bill Rammell urged Asian and European officials to issue a "very strong statement" condemning the trial.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is on trial on charges of violating her house arrest after an incident in which an American man swam to her house. She faces up to five years in jail. The Hanoi talks were expected to cover the global economy and climate change, but events in Burma and North Korea's latest nuclear test are expected to dominate discussions.
Despite the outrage over the charges, EU foreign ministers last week failed to agree on new sanctions against Burma's military rulers.Despite the outrage over the charges, EU foreign ministers last week failed to agree on new sanctions against Burma's military rulers.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1950505.stm">Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi Burma rejection
Asean last week warned Burma - who is a member of the organisation - that Ms Suu Kyi's trial puts the country's "honour and credibility" at stake.Asean last week warned Burma - who is a member of the organisation - that Ms Suu Kyi's trial puts the country's "honour and credibility" at stake.
But Thailand - who currently chairs Asean - said the group would not change its position of engagement with Burma and China has flatly refused to get involved. class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1950505.stm">Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi
Diplomats say the division between Asian nations and the West over Burma has also caused frustration in economic matters, the BBC's Nga Pham in Hanoi says. Burma's military rulers have dismissed international criticism, especially from Asian neighbours.
She adds that the current sanctions against Burma are preventing the EU from signing a free trade deal with Asean. "This statement issued by the alternate Asean chairman - which is not in conformity with Asean practice, incorrect in facts, interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar - is strongly rejected by Myanmar," the New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported said, using its own name for Burma.
"It is sadly noted that the alternate Asean chairman failed to preserve the dignity of Asean, the dignity of Myanmar and the dignity of Thailand," said the statement, which was also carried on state-run television and radio.
Diplomats say the division between Asian nations and the West over Burma has caused frustration in economic matters and has prevented the EU from signing a free trade deal with Asean, the BBC's Nga Pham in Hanoi says.
Burmese state media reported that the junta had blamed opposition students for planting a bomb on a train in Naypyidaw, Burma's inland capital. It was defused on Sunday.