In the face of considerable scepticism or outright disbelief in the outside world about its sketchy “road map,” some in Myanmar feel the troubled country may be embarked on a process that could lead to a new constitution or even elections before the end of the year.

Indonesia Election Climate Unsettled

Indonesia has been preparing for watershed elections for the Parliament and Presidency in April, July and September this year that could either solidify the huge country’s evolution toward democratic stability or increase the continuing sense of instability and conflict within its divided political and public interests.

East Timor Fears Being Abandoned to Hostile Fate

East Timor, once the centre of considerable international preoccupation and support as the symbol of a small country struggling for freedom, faces an uncertain political, economic and social destiny that could even go as far as threats on its territory and resources by outside forces, according to informed parties there.

Bankers to the Poor Seek Global Reach

For the hundreds of millions of persons in Asia under the poverty line, the equally huge amounts of development aid, soft loans or technical assistance dispensed by the international donor community seems to have little direct impact on their everyday lives, because what they really need to possibly transform their existence is a meagre investment that nevertheless seems beyond realistic reach.