UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had Southeast Asia's premier diplomatic grouping in sight when he released a press statement on Burma, one of its member countries, at the sidelines of the just-concluded International Aids Conference.

Annan's statement, released after he met Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, expressed concern about the slow progress in bringing democracy to the country and freeing opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi despite supposed efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to bring about political change.

Since the UN chief was in Thailand for the 15th International Aids Conference, which ended on July 16, and in the proximity of Burma - it was an opportune moment for him to draw attention to the country ruled by a military government accused of gross human rights abuses, including the forcible relocation of civilians and the widespread use of forced labour.