UN envoy backs ASEAN pressure on Burma

March 30 (AFP) - The United Nations' special envoy to Myanmar, who has not been allowed into the country for a year, backed Wednesday moves by ASEAN lawmakers to pressure the military junta for democratic reforms.

"The UN is always on the side of democracy. It supports the principles these people are pushing and these principles are very important for all government's to adhere to," Razali Ismail told reporters in the Malaysian city of Putrajaya.

The UN envoy was commenting on a move by government lawmakers in Malaysia to strip Myanmar of the right to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship next year unless it releases democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and speeds up reforms.

Making clear his frustration at the military junta's response to his diplomatic efforts, Razali said: "I am deeply disappointed that I am not allowed to Myanmar for over a year.

I can't imagine this should be so." Razali said the UN was a friend of Myanmar's and wanted to help the isolated country join the international fraternity.

"If I am allowed to return, I will impress on the Myanmar leaders to move according to the democratic plan, release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and allow other political parties to participate in the national convention," he said.