HANOI?President Benigno Aquino III Thursday pushed for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi but expressed disappointment that Prime Minister Thein Sein did not give a commitment during their bilateral talks that the Burmese democracy icon would be freed any time soon.

Mr. Aquino told Thein Sein the Philippines was joining calls from the international community for the immediate release of Suu Kyi, according to presidential communications group Secretary Ricky Carandang.

Thein Sein?s reply contained no clear commitment, only saying the legal processes of Burma (Myanmar) would be followed, Carandang said.

?It is disappointing not just for the Philippines, I think, but for many of the ASEAN neighbors, many people in the international community,? Carandang told reporters.

?They would?ve viewed the release of Aung San Suu Kyi as a clear indication that the government of Myanmar was serious in taking steps on its roadmap to democracy. The lack of commitment on that was disappointing to the President.?

Philippine experience

Carandang also said Mr. Aquino offered to share with Burma the Philippines? experiences in transitioning to democracy, citing Filipinos? peaceful moves to a democratic government.

In response, Thein Sein said his country had set up an election commission to oversee the forthcoming polls in that country and that many different parties and ethnic groups were participating. He expressed confidence that the elections would be free and fair.

Carandang said Thein Sein also said that Burma was willing to accept observers to its elections. The Philippines has not decided whether to send observers.

Asked what else the Philippines could do to push for Suu Kyi?s release, Carandang said it would be difficult to force Burma to take concrete steps toward democracy. He noted while the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has a charter, its enforcement has been weak.

What could be done is to talk to them to do what is right, he added.

A sham

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told The Associated Press that even though dissidents would not be able to participate in the Nov. 7 elections, their release would at least create a ?perception that this election will be more inclusive.?

Burma?s military rulers have enacted laws that prevent Suu Kyi and other political prisoners from contesting the elections. That leaves the key junta-backed party as the only strong contender to win the elections, which have been slammed by critics as a pre-rigged sham.

?Without releasing all political prisoners, then there may certainly be some issue of legitimacy or credibility,? Ban said in the exclusive interview in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

He gave the interview before flying to Hanoi where he will meet with Gen. Thein Sein on the sidelines of the annual ASEAN summit. Although Thein Sein represents his country at international events, he takes his orders from junta leader Senior Gen. Than Shwe.

For the first time, the reclusive government confirmed that Than Shwe would not be participating in the national polls, according to diplomats at the Hanoi conference, though it remains unclear what role he may have after the elections.

?He?ll be president?

Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win told his counterparts during an informal dinner on Wednesday that Than Shwe would not be on the ballot.

Than Shwe is widely expected to have some new role and title after elections. Many think he could become the next president, which is not an elected position.

?You know the system they have. He will be elected president, I?m almost sure,? Romulo said.

Makeover

The military junta, which has been in control of Burma for the past five decades, worked to put a fresh face on the oppressive country at the Hanoi meeting, unveiling a redesigned flag and new national name?going from ?Union of Myanmar? to ?Republic of the Union of Myanmar.?

Many observers fear the makeover is merely a facade to mask the shortcomings of the long-awaited election.

The junta has billed the polling as a big move forward in the country?s so-called roadmap to democracy. Critics say the junta has taken steps to block transparency and ensure that the military remains in power by repressing the main opposition party and limiting campaigning.

Burmese officials refused to directly confirm whether Suu Kyi, who has been imprisoned or under house arrest for 15 of the past 21 years, would be released from her house arrest when her detention expires on Nov. 13.

Uncertain fate

Romulo said Suu Kyi?s fate remained uncertain. During the Wednesday dinner, Nyan Win simply asserted that the country would follow its laws.

?We all pressed him to release Aung San Suu Kyi, but he was noncommittal,? Romulo said, adding that he told Nyan Win he was unconvinced she would be released at all.

?I am skeptical about that,? Romulo said he told Nyan Win. ?She has been sentenced and after that she is resentenced again with another, so there?s no end to it.?

Suu Kyi?s party is boycotting the elections as undemocratic after it won a landslide victory in 1990 that was dismissed by the military leaders. Other world leaders also are expected to prod Burma during the ASEAN meeting.

Territorial spats

China also is expected to dominate discussions following a number of territorial spats on the high seas.

China claims sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, but parts of it are also claimed by several of its Southeast Asian neighbors, including Vietnam and the Philippines.

Heads of state from the ASEAN countries?Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam?along with leaders from Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States are attending the summit.

Talks between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan are in doubt after the two nations became embroiled in their worst diplomatic row in years, centered on a disputed East China Sea island chain.

A meeting scheduled for Friday between the economic ministers of Japan, China and South Korea has already been canceled, casting further doubt on the two-way talks between Asia?s biggest powers.

The summit is also expected to sound the alarm over the ?currency war? that has sent exchange rates and share prices rocketing in the region?s emerging economies.

While China has kept a tight grip on the yuan, Japan and emerging Asian economies have seen their currencies soar against the US dollar, making their exports less competitive and inviting a massive inflow of foreign capital. Reports from Associated Press and Agence France-Presse