ASEAN Urges West to Drop Burma Sanctions

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is calling on the United States and the European Union to lift sanctions against Burma, after the military-ruled country held an election and freed dissident Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters Sunday at a two-day ASEAN retreat on the resort island of Lombok that the international community should respond to recent developments in Burma by easing sanctions, so the impoverished country can develop economically.

Burma is subject to sanctions and boycotts because of the ruling junta's poor human rights record. (From VOA)