The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Inter-Parliamentary Caucus on Myanmar said Nov. 29 that Myanmar should not serve as the ASEAN chair in 2004 and that the country's membership in the organization should be suspended. Despite Myanmar's military government releasing thousands of prisoners the week before the ASEAN summit, the caucus cited Myanmar's lack of progress toward democracy as reasons for the group's recommendation. The statement, though not legally binding, sends a signal that ASEAN is moving away from being a purely economic organization. It represents a departure from ASEAN's tradition of not interfering with members' domestic issues and could be a precursor to eventually expelling Myanmar from the organization. More importantly, the statement shows that cracks are appearing in ASEAN's unity.