World has responsibility to decry Myanmar's brutal supression
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 September 2007 1034 hrs

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NEW YORK: Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo has, once again, emphasised that countries of the world not only have a legitimate right, but also a responsibility to decry the brutal suppression of demonstrators in Myanmar.

He made the point when addressing the United Nations General Assembly debate on Friday.

Mr Yeo recounted that ASEAN's foreign ministers have expressed their revulsion at Myanmar's latest actions.

The minister also called on the Myanmar government to abandon its old ways and take a fresh approach towards national reconciliation with all groups in the country.

In his wide-ranging speech, Mr Yeo spoke on the importance of better global governance in dealing with global problems of climate change, global pandemics, the fight against terrorism, the multilateral trading system or international finance.

He said no one country, however powerful, can act on its own in a major issue in complete disregard of the views of others.

The interests of Russia, China, India and Brazil, which are either emergent or re-emergent powers, must increasingly be factored in.

In addition to that, smaller countries have also become more assertive.

Mr Yeo believes the improvement of global governance can only be achieved through gradual evolution, not revolution.

As a small country, Singapore takes the view that small- and medium-sized countries have both rights and responsibilities.


- CNA/so