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Clinton calls for talks in Myanmar
Subject: Clinton calls for talks in Myanmar (The Hindu, 27/11/96.)
Clinton calls for talks in Myanmar
The Hindu, 27/11/96.
>From V. jayanth
SINGAPORE, Nov. 26.
In the last lap of his Asian tour, the U.S. President, Mr. Bill
Clinton. today utilised his 26-hour visit to Thailand to deliver
his message on Myanmar - which he still calls Burma.
Speaking at a special Chulalongkorn University convocation in
Bangkok, where he also received an honorary doctorate, Mr.
Clinton called for a "true political dialogue" and a "Government
more acceptable to the people." That he made the speech
virtually at Myanmar's doorstep made it more significant.
Mr. Clinton appealed to all countries in the Asia Pacific region
to continue to "pressure" the military regime in Myanmar. He
said every nation had an interest in a "true political dialogue" in
that country.
Singling out the pro-democracy leader, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi,
for her struggle, the U.S. President said she had reminded the
world that "these desires know no boundaries" and were
"fundamentally human." It was, therefore, necessary for
countries in the region to keep up their pressure on the military
regime.
Mr. Clinton also referred to the developments in Cambodia and
Mongolia and argued that they had shown that change was
possible even under those difficult conditions. And Ms. Suu
Kyi had raised the very same issues.
Since the visiting President was so preoccupied with trade and
its liberalisation during this Asian journey, the issue of Myanmar
was perhaps reserved for this last stop - the immediate
neighbour of the military junta.
Arriving in Bangkok last night, on his way back to the U.S.
after the APEC summit in the Philippines, Mr. Clinton was in
Thailand as a guest of King Bhumibol Adulyatej, who is
celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ascension to the throne.
The King hosted a special banquet for the Clintons tonight.
Mr. Clinton and the caretaker Prime Minister, Mr. Banharn
Silpa-archa, signed a bilateral agreement for the avoidance of
double taxation. Mr. Banharn called on the visiting leader this
morning and his successor, Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, also
had a meeting with Mr. Clinton today.
Analysts say Myanmar is not likely to be worried by such
statements from Mr. Clinton, because the military junta has
already described Ms. Suu Kyi and her movement as "puppets"
or tools of imperialists and the Western super power which
wanted to "influence" Myanmar.
The Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
and Prime Minister of Myanmar, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, has
confirmed that he will be attending Saturday's informal summit
of Southeast Asian leaders in Jakarta.
It remains to be seen if the ASEAN leaders, who have invited
their potential members, colleagues to attend this consultation,
use the occasion to prod the military junta in Myanmar to open
a dialogue.