Indonesia urges Myanmar to do more on democracy

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia urged military-ruled Myanmar on Tuesday to take more credible steps towards democratization, including releasing political prisoners.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said his country was frustrated that years of attempts to engage Myanmar diplomatically had born little fruit.

"We wish to see a more credible process in the implementation of their roadmap to democracy," Wirajuda said in an annual foreign affairs briefing.

Myanmar's junta has embarked on a national convention to draw up a new constitution as part of its "roadmap to democracy," but the process has been criticized in many quarters as a sham.

At least 31 people were killed in September when the junta crushed the biggest pro-democracy protests in nearly 20 years, prompting international condemnation and tougher sanctions.

Indonesia, the largest member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Myanmar, has been increasingly critical of Myanmar's foot-dragging on reforms.

Myanmar's prime minister, Thein Sein, will hold talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during a visit to Jakarta next week.

Wirajuda said the visit served as an opportunity for Myanmar to brief the Indonesian leader about its plans.

He said even though neither diplomacy nor sanctions had brought changes in Myanmar, it was important to continue to engage Myanmar with the help of regional powers such as China and India.