Immediate Change in Burma Impossible, says French Minister

Source: Agence France-Presse via The Peninsula

France and Thailand said yesterday that immediate radical change in Myanmar was impossible, and the world had to work more closely together to bring democracy to the military-run country.

"We don't want to change the regime immediately, overnight. This is impossible, ridiculous and counter-productive," French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said after meeting with Thai officials over the Myanmar crisis.

"Let's start having a new spirit, a new movement, a new strength and we will succeed, believe me. This is the beginning of a successful process ... something is moving," he added.

Kouchner was in Bangkok on the second leg of an Asian tour to step up international pressure on Myanmar's junta.

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