| NEW YORK - A NEW situation has emerged in Myanmar that calls for a fresh approach to national reconciliation, Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo has said.
He believes that the proposed visit of United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gambari to Yangon would be an ideal opportunity for Myanmar 's military rulers to end the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests and launch a dialogue with the opposition.
'What is important now is to avert violence,' he told The Straits Times in an interview on Wednesday (US time) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting here.
'Force has already been used and people have died. Unless utmost restraint is shown, we can have a serious situation in our hands. It will be a tragedy for the people of Myanmar. And it will be a setback for Asean, and indeed, China and India as well.'
As Chairman of Asean, Mr Yeo has been spearheading the regional group's role in resolving the worsening crisis in a member state.
Engaging in quiet diplomacy behind the scenes, he has been in touch with several Asean Foreign Ministers, including his Myanmar counterpart Nyan Win, whom he called on Wednesday morning.
'I told him it is very important that all parties make use of Gambari's visit to find a way forward',' he said.
'Unfortunately, he told me that he had difficulty contacting his capital. I am not sure why. I can understand that the present situation is a confused one back home.'
Mr Yeo disclosed that he also met Mr Gambari on Tuesday to offer help.
'I told him that if there is anything we can do for assistance, he can count on us,' he said.
The UN envoy is on his way to Singapore en route to Myanmar.
He said that Mr Gambari had great diplomatic skills, having won the trust of both the Yangon government and opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyii.
'The important thing is to back Gambari and to help the Myanmar people towards national reconciliation,' he explained. 'And they need to find a fresh way forward. The old approach can no longer work.'
He said that as Chairman, he might issue a statement on Myanmar on Thursday (US time) after meeting Asean Foreign Ministers.
Asean officials say that discussions on finalising a draft Charter is likely to be overshadowed by what is happening in Myanmar, given the international furor it has created following the violent crackdown.
Mr Yeo said that Asean had to take a 'very realistic position to keep Myanmar within the Asean family because it is in everybody's interest' to do so, including neighbouring China and India.
Asked what Asean would do if the junta became increasingly repressive, he said: 'If national reconciliation is not possible and there is repression and violence where many people die, then it is a new situation all over again. Asean can issue statements and Asean can shed tears.
'But at that point in time, it will be a fight within Myanmar itself.'
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