Myanmar slams Clinton following ASEAN meeting

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US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton responds to questions during a news conference at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Phuket, Thailand. — AP

YANGON, July 26 (AP): A Myanmar state-run newspaper accused Sunday US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton of interfering in the affairs of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after she urged its members to press for more democratic reforms in the country.
Clinton, who attended the ASEAN Regional Forum last week in Thailand, also called on Myanmar to unconditionally release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is on trial for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest and faces a possible five-year prison term.
"It amounts to interfering in the affairs of the ASEAN," according to a commentary in the state-run Myanma Ahlin daily. "If ASEAN complies with the instruction of US Secretary of State, ASEAN will become the follower of United States."
Myanmar is one of ASEAN's 10 member countries.
The commentary also suggested that American calls for Suu Kyi's release were part of a long-term plan to place someone in power in Myanmar whom it can control.
Clinton saved some of her toughest criticism during the forum for Myanmar and North Korea, which is not an ASEAN member. She expressed concerns that North Korea, already a threat to its neighbors and the US with its history of illicit sales of missiles and nuclear technology, is now developing ties to Myanmar's military dictatorship.
Clinton also offered Myanmar the prospect of better relations with the United States, but said that depended in part on the fate of Suu Kyi.