The Burma issue has caused some headache to ASEAN, which has adhered to its policy of not interfering in the internal affairs of member states.
However, during its annual ministerial meeting in Cambodia in June, ASEAN broke with this tradition by demanding an immediate release of detained democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
"What is clear now is that Burma issue has gained international momentum and the embarrassment of ASEAN that the military government has not improved its record in all the years they have tried", said Debbie Strodhard of Alt-Asean, a watchdog of ASEAN.
Dr. Thaung Htun, UN affairs official of The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma said ASEAN's past policy of constructive engagement has failed and they have been under great pressure from the United States and the international community.