Myanmar faces critics, allies at Asia summit

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SINGAPORE, Nov 21 (AFP): Regional pariah Myanmar was to face its critics and allies Wednesday in 16-nation talks which group Southeast Asia with regional powers China and Japan, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
The East Asia Summit is being held on the heels of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annual talks, which were overshadowed by a row over how to deal with Myanmar, its most troublesome member.
Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein scored a victory by forcing the cancellation of UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari's planned briefing on the crisis in the military state, which he had been due to give to the East Asia gathering.
But he is likely to face a tougher reception in the wider summit, which takes in the 10 ASEAN countries together with outspoken Myanmar critic Australia, as well as China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
Thailand's foreign minister acknowledged that Thein Sein could face some harsh words at the afternoon talks.
"To be realistic about it, I don't think that would come ... as a surprise, would it?" Nitya Pibulsonggram told AFP.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he was "disappointed" with the cancellation of the Gambari briefing and called on Asian nations to support the envoy's efforts, singling out the junta's close ally China.
"I hope that countries around East Asia -- all of them, ASEAN countries but also importantly China and others -- will all find ways of reinforcing the work of Professor Gambari," Downer told reporters after meeting with the envoy.