Australia is standing with Southeast Asian leaders in confronting Burma over a lack of democratic reforms.
Alexander Downer told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today Saturday that ever since he has been Australia's foreign minister, he has been told that Burma was gradually moving towards constitutional reforms. He compared the slow progress in Burma to glue flowing uphill.
Mr. Downer is in Malaysia for talks ahead of next week's summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said ASEAN wants to see more progress in Burma. He said such progress must include a timetable for reform and moves to include all political forces in the democratization process, including
detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Information for this report is provided by AFP.
