Singapore official dismisses need for Myanmar sanctions

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Southeast Asian nations should not impose economic sanctions on Myanmar despite the political upheaval there because such sanctions are not effective, Singapore's Second Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam said on Tuesday.

A violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Myanmar last month sparked international outrage, inciting calls for action among Myanmar's neighbors.

But Shanmugaratnam said that satisfying as they might be, sanctions would not bring reconciliation.

"We don't think economic sanctions make sense, certainly not at this point," he said at a press briefing of finance ministers from key members of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"We should keep up external pressure, but the evidence so far has showed that economic sanctions have not worked in Myanmar."

The suppression of the Buddhist monk-led street protests in Myanmar last month killed 10 people, according to the military junta that rules Myanmar. Western governments say the toll was probably much higher.

The second finance minister expressed support for a visit to the country by U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari next month, aimed at jump-starting a dialogue between the government and the opposition. These efforts are a "key strategy," he said.