Burma should "take bolder steps toward a peaceful transition to democracy in the near future," the ministers said in statement, a final draft of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
The statement also urged the ruling generals to ensure general elections in 2010 are free and fair.
Rice renewed criticism of Burma for initially refusing international help in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May, when several countries including the United States were "sitting literally offshore" with ships loaded with aid.
"When you have a situation (with) the junta refusing to let people in need be helped, you wonder how can the international community stand by and allow that to happen," she said.
She praised Asean for persuading Burma to accept help eventually.
Asean should find a way to move the country toward political reforms that would "make something of what is right now a kind of mockery, which is this roadmap to democracy which is going nowhere," she said.
Asean, which has been taken to task for not doing enough to pressure Burma's junta, held back its criticism after Nargis struck, fearing it would complicate efforts to convince the ruling generals to allow the entry of outside aid.
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The statement also urged the ruling generals to ensure general elections in 2010 are free and fair.
Rice renewed criticism of Burma for initially refusing international help in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May, when several countries including the United States were "sitting literally offshore" with ships loaded with aid.
"When you have a situation (with) the junta refusing to let people in need be helped, you wonder how can the international community stand by and allow that to happen," she said.
She praised Asean for persuading Burma to accept help eventually.
Asean should find a way to move the country toward political reforms that would "make something of what is right now a kind of mockery, which is this roadmap to democracy which is going nowhere," she said.
Asean, which has been taken to task for not doing enough to pressure Burma's junta, held back its criticism after Nargis struck, fearing it would complicate efforts to convince the ruling generals to allow the entry of outside aid.
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