While a recent decision by Southeast Asian governments makes it appear that Burma's military regime may have won a diplomatic victory, two approaching deadlines should give Rangoon's junta a reason for discomfort.

The politically charged of the two will be the forthcoming Asia-Europe (Asem) summit to be held in October in Hanoi, where the junta will finally learn where it stands in the eyes of its regional neighbours and the European Union (EU).

The second is a November deadline placed recently by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for Rangoon to halt the practice of forced labour or face international pressure that could be politically damaging.

Signs that Burma still remains a pariah in the eyes of the EU was evident before and after a recently concluded foreign ministers meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Jakarta.