The leaders and foreign ministers of Asean countries are expected next week to discuss the Burmese military regime’s election laws which bar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running for office.Vitavas Srivihok, director-general of the Asean Affairs Department, yesterday said the issue would be raised next Wednesday when Asean foreign ministers sit down in Hanoi for dinner talks on regional affairs.

The Burmese election is also expected to be discussed when Asean leaders meet a day later in the Vietnamese capital. Their views are likely to form a part of the Asean chairman’s statement to be issued at the end of the leaders’ meeting, Mr Vitavas said.

A ministry source believed the Burmese leaders might listen to the views of the other Asean leaders if the meeting was conducted in a good atmosphere.

The National League for Democracy headed by Mrs Suu Kyi decided on Monday to boycott the election by not registering the party. The action could lead to the disbandment of the party.

Asean leaders and foreign ministers are also scheduled at their meetings to sign at least 12 documents including a statement on a joint response to climate change.

The leaders will talk with Asean lawmakers during their time in Hanoi but there have been no meetings scheduled with members of Asean civil society and youth representatives similar to last year.