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Myanmar's offer to Singapore

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Myanmar has offered to supply to Singapore some critical building materials it needs. The offer acquires unusual political importance in the context of the difficulties that Singapore has encountered in procuring them from Indonesia, a big source. All three countries belong to the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations.

Secretary-1 of Myanmar's military junta, Thein Sein, told Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday that sand, cement, granite, and other construction materials could be supplied to the City-State on a long-term basis.

Other bilateral issues too were discussed. Hosting Mr. Yeo, Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Nyan Win said efforts were under way to "successfully conclude" the National Convention this year in pursuit of his country's roadmap for democracy.

No update on the political future of the long-detained democracy campaigner, Aung San Suu Kyi, was made public.

Citing concerns about environmental protection, Indonesia recently banned the export of sand to Singapore. Maritime vessels carrying granite to Singapore were also detained by Indonesia last month.

Jakarta has, in recent weeks, sought to link the sand issue to the ongoing negotiations with Singapore on a range of other matters.

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