Asean failed to mention Aung San Suu Kyi in its statement

The US State Department rejected a statement by Asean at the close of its annual summit, which said there had recently been "positive developments".

A spokesman said he saw no progress in Burma, and none could be achieved until the regime allowed the democratic opposition a full role in politics.

He also demanded the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader.

Asean ended its summit in Bali by saying that Burma had been making progress, and added that it welcomed the "roadmap" to democracy revealed by Prime Minister Khin Nyunt.

However, there was no mention in the statement of Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently under house arrest.

The US says the roadmap is meaningless without the opposition

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said any "roadmap" was meaningless unless the opposition was allowed a full role.

"They noted, quote unquote, 'positive developments'," said Mr Boucher.

"We don't see those and we don't see any need for a road map unless it has full participation of the opposition, and that's the way forward to us."

He called for Aung San Suu Kyi to be released unconditionally and for her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), to be allowed to reopen its offices.

Asean - which comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma - also described American sanctions against Rangoon as "not helpful".

The US imposed a blanket trade ban after Aung San Suu Kyi's latest arrest following a clash between her supporters and pro-junta demonstrators on 30 May.

Burma's political crisis dates back to 1990 when the NLD won a landslide election victory which the regime refused to recognise.