Hanoi – Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday that Asean and Burma must work together to narrow the gap of expectation within the international community concerning the scheduled election in Burma next month.
He said that an election is a first step in democratic development. Thailand, he added, looked beyond the election scheduled on 7 November, which was condemned world-wide.

Abhisit’s comment was in line with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who said that Burma’s election is suffering from the creditability deficit. He also pointed out that Indonesia also looks beyond the election to issues related to national reconcilliation and dialogue.

The strongest view came from Philippine President Benigno Aquino III. He said that Aung San Suu Kyi should be released and the election next month is not free, fair or inclusive.