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Burma accuses US of divisive tactic



Subject: Burma accuses US of divisive tactics (The Asian Age, 29/11/96.)

Burma accuses US of divisive tactics 
The Asian Age, 29/11/96.
 
Rangoon, Nov. 28: Burma's official media accused the United 
States on Thursday of using Rangoon's bid to join the 
Association of Southeast Asean Nations as an "evil and dirty 
plot" to divide the region grouping.
 
The commentary was carried in all three state-run papers as 
Prime Minister and the chairman of the ruling State Law and 
Order Restoration Council General Than Shwe left to attend the 
meeting of Asean heads of government in Jakarta.
 
Using the word "Ngapwagyi" -- loosely translated as "trouble 
maker" -- for the United States, the dialogue referred in part to 
a speech made earlier this week by U.S President Bill Clinton 
during a visit to Thailand.
 
"Whether Myanmar is accepted as an Asean member or not is 
not a matter for Ngapwagyi.  "It is an evil and dirty plot of 
Ngapwagyi, hitting the vulnerable spot to hinder Myanmar's 
wish to enter Asean and to make Asean nations become 
disunited.  Ngapwagyi is implementing this scheme with all-out 
efforts," the commentary said.  The seven member grouping -- 
the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Brunei and Vietnam -- gather in December, and Burma, is 
seeking to become a full member by next year.  Laos and 
Cambodia are also observers.  The question of Burma 
(Myanmar's) entry into Asean is expected to take centre-stage 
at a summit of Asean leaders on Saturday.
 
Diplomats say the question is not if but when Burma -- at the 
centre of international concern over its human rights record and 
its suppression of democracy movement led by Aung San Sun 
Kyi -- will be accepted as a full member of' the association.
 
The Burma issue has dominated Asean since the, State Law and 
Order Council which has ruled since 1988, launched a fresh 
crackdown on Nobel laureate Suu Kyi earlier this year.  In a 
speech praising most Asia-Pacific nations for their efforts to 
bring democracy to the region, Mr Clinton singled out Burma 
on Tuesday for failing to recognise a democratically-elected 
government, saying it showed Rangoon lacked rule of law. 
(Reuter)