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Malaysia says Burma's entry into AS
- Subject: Malaysia says Burma's entry into AS
- From: ausgeo@xxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 09:47:00
Subject: Malaysia says Burma's entry into ASEAN vital for regional stability
US-Burma-Malaysia : Malaysia says Burma's entry into ASEAN vital for regional
stability
by M. Jegathesan
KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (AFP) - Malaysia Sunday said the entry of Burma into
ASEAN was vital for regional stability and economic growth.
"We see the membership of Burma in ASEAN from various angles -- strategic and
growth of the region. It should be brought into the regional organisation,"
Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters here.
Abdullah said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has agreed to
accept Burma's entry. "It is ASEAN's standpoint. We understand the issue
better than the United States."
His comments followed an announcement by US State Department spokesman
Nicholas Burns on Friday that the United States was trying to persuade ASEAN
members to reject Burma's bid for full membership, on the grounds of its
"woeful human rights performance."
"We are trying to use our influence to make the point that Burma should be
given a stiff message that it is not welcome," Burns said of the ASEAN
proposal to admit Burma.
Burma is expected to become a full member of ASEAN -- which groups Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- later
this year.
Abdullah said ASEAN nations policy of constructive engagement with Burma
served the region well, adding that Burma already attends the ASEAN Regional
Forum (ARF) and the Post Ministerial Conference (PMC).
The political system of a country is not made a condition for admittance even
into the United Nations, he said, adding that ASEAN maintains a strict policy
of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
"However, we hope through our relations with Burma, we can bring changes to
benefit its people. We will decide what is good for us," Abdullah said.
He also said there was no need for ASEAN to tell the United States not to
interfere in regional matters. "We do not have any desire to quarrel with any
country."
Abdullah said ASEAN only had a difference of opinion with the US, adding that
it was not confrontational in nature.
"It is the decision of ASEAN heads to admit Burma, Cambodia and Laos
simultaneously," he said, when asked if there was a possibility of only Burma
denied entry this year in the wake of the US appeal.
Admitting the three countries this year, ASEAN's 30th anniversary, would
fulfill the group's long-held ambition of incorporating the 10 nations of
Southeast Asia.