A senior Burmese exile leader has called on the European Union to keep Burma out of an October summit of Asian and European nations.
Thaung Htun of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma told the European Parliament that Burma should be kept out of the talks due to what he called its appalling human rights record.
The European Union also opposes Burma's presence because of its refusal to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations says Burma should be allowed to participate as a new member of the bloc.
The Asia-Europe Meeting is scheduled for October in Vietnam.