"In June, Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan proposed the ?flexible engagement? policy saying that Asean members need to discuss existing problems more openly and frankly. Although the proposal did not receive a warm welcome at the Asean Summit in Manila, Burma?s democrats, including ordinary Burmese who listened to foreign broadcasts, quietly showed a keen interest and welcomed it. The reason: few Burmese except the ruling junta known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) support Asean?s controversial and unpopular ?constructive engagement? policy. Burma joined the regional club last year despite strong noisy protests in the West, and from human rights activists in the region and the opposition inside and outside of the country. Since the brutal crackdown in 1988 and on-going human rights violations and repression in Burma, the military government had been shunned by democratic governments. The only club the sullen generals could join was Asean. To boost its image and to borrow legitimacy, the junta leaders realised Asean was the best choice..."