Myanmar President meets rebels; Suu Kyi meets Karen rebels in Rangoon; US to send combat ships to Singapore for joint exercise; Four killed in the Philippines militant ambush; 20th ASEAN Summit held in Phnom Penh; Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra: ASEAN should
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    • According to reports, on April 7, 2012, a peace delegation from the rebel Karen National Union met with the President Thein Sein. This was the first time president had talks with rebel leaders since he called upon rebel groups to talk in August 2011. Earlier, on April 6, 2012 the KNU and government delegates met in Yangon and signed a 13- point agreement on how to move ahead with the peace process. 1

    Meanwhile, the opposition leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi met with the Karen ethnic rebels in her first significant meeting after winning the April 1 by-elections. The meeting, which lasted for more than an hour, was held in Yangon. The meeting came a day after KNU delegates met Myanmar’s President Thein Sein in Naypyidaw. 2

    Reports noted that the US defence secretary Leon Panetta announced on April 5, 2012 that the US administration is planning to deploy combat ships to Singapore for joint exercise. The announcement came a day after Panetta met his Singapore counterpart Ng Eng Hen met at the Pentagon. The US military already operates a small post in Singapore, a long-standing ally that assists in logistics and exercises for forces in Southeast Asia. 3

    According to the Philippine officials, the Al- Qaida linked militants killed three armed forces personnel during an ambush in southern Basilan Island. One militant was also killed during the ambush. It is said that Abu Sayyaf rebels under senior leader Furuji Indama attacked auxiliary force members on patrol on April 5 in a rubber plantation in Sumisip Township. 4

    Reports noted that the 20th ASEAN Summit was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The meeting ended on April 4, 2012. It produced a number of declarations, such as the `Phnom Penh Declaration on ASEAN: One Community, One Destiny`, `Phnom Penh Agenda on ASEAN Community Building`, and `Drug-Free ASEAN 2015`. The Summit, held from April 3-4 in Phnom Penh, also discussed the progress and challenges faced in completing the ASEAN Community by 2015. 5

    Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on April 4, 2012 that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should be more proactive to cope with challenges which could threaten regional peace and security to ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness. Attending the 20th ASEAN Summit in Cambodia, Shinawatra said the regional group should play a wider and more constructive role in peace building and closely cooperate with powers outside the region on trade and political stability as well as raising concerns about issues such as the battle against money laundering. 6

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