BURMA'S military regime made its debut as a full observer of ASEAN yesterday with a surprise pledge to push multi-party democracy and free trade.
'Myanmar's [Burma's] national goal is to build a peaceful, prosperous, modern and developed state based on a multi-party democratic system and a market-oriented economy,' Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw told the opening session of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ministerial meeting.
'Due to the unswerving efforts of the Government, Myanmar today is enjoying peace, stability and economic growth as never before in history,' he said.
Mr Gyaw's comments follow heavy Western criticism of Burma's suppression of the pro-democracy movement led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
However, this year's chairman of the ASEAN standing committee, Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, spoke warmly of Burma at a brief morning ceremony to mark its induction.
'We have been able to observe the firmest endeavours of Myanmar to prepare itself for eventual membership in our association,' he said.