A group of Southeast Asian lawmakers is calling on United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to coordinate a drive by major world powers to pressure Burma's military junta into improving human rights.
Three members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' special caucus on democracy in Burma say attempts by that organization to engage Burma in human rights discussions have failed.
The politicians, from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, say efforts for democratic change in Burma would best be led by Mr. Annan with the United States, the European Union, ASEAN and other world powers uniting behind him.
Burma has been ruled by the military since 1962. In 1990, the opposition National League for Democracy won general elections to lead the country, but the military junta did not allow the party to take power.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
