Showing insensitivity to the global uproar over human rights abuses by the military junta, the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gave Myanmar “kid gloves” treatment at the start of the ASEAN Summit in Singapore.

Myanmar was even elected to head of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology (AMMST) in a gathering last week in Mandalay.

On Monday, the ASEAN heads of state kowtowed to Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein’s demand that the regional grouping consider issues in Rangoon as domestic affairs which the junta is “capable of handling”.

A statement released Tuesday by Singapore, the current ASEAN chair, said that “the ASEAN Leaders agreed that ASEAN would respect Myanmar’s wishes and make way for Myanmar to deal directly with the United Nations and the international community on its own”.

“In view of Myanmar’s position, Professor Ibrahim Gambari will not brief the ASEAN or East Asian Summit leaders,” said the statement, referring to the UN special envoy who has visited Burma to seek the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners and to encourage reconciliation talks.

The leaders’ statement is a far cry from publicized claims that ASEAN heads of state, including President Arroyo, were taking a tough stance on Myanmar.

U Thaung, science and technology minister of the State Peace and Development Council, the formal name of the military junta now governing Myanmar, opened the 12th AMMST on Nov. 16-17 which was attended by his counterparts from all ASEAN member-states.

As part of efforts to “formalize the AMMST”, the ministers designated Myanmar as the “first elected chair” of the regional S&T group, with the Philippines as vice chair.

The ministers also announced an ASEAN-US Science and Technology Agreement, but provided no details on its provisions.

“The ministers expected that the necessary review process on the draft Agreement in each country could be completed as soon as possible to allow the signing of the Agreement to take place in between February and April 2008,” the statement said.

The ministers also backed plans by Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam to build nuclear power plants by forming an ad-hoc Technical Working Group (TWG) addressing the S&T intervention activities related the three countries’ efforts.

Manila will host an informal AMMST meeting in July 2008, coinciding with the 8th ASEAN S&T Week. The 13th AMMST meeting will be held in 2009 with Singapore as host. ###