Your article on the Bali summit 'Members sign democracy pact' (October 8) reported that Asean leaders dropped the issue of Aung San Suu Kyi's detention and issued a mealy mouthed statement 'welcoming a democracy pledge from Myanmar'.
I find this truly disgusting.
Asean, which purports to value freedom and human rights, displayed its lack of principles in not censuring the Myanmar dictators. Only Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had the guts to stress his 'concern' and say that Japanese aid would remain suspended.
I am ashamed of the president of my country, the Philippines, for saying nothing about the dreadful treatment of Ms Suu Kyi, ambushed last May and placed under house arrest after her recent surgery. As the legitimate leader of Myanmar who has been thwarted by the military thugs in that country, and as someone awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, this brave lady deserves her Asian neighbours' respect and support.
Yet it seems that principles do not matter for these heads of state, who choose 'non-interference' and airy-fairy trade schemes while professing to be supporters of democracy in the region. As such, they deserve the disdain of the civilised world.
ISABEL ESCODA, Lantau
