NCGUB Calls for ASEAN Delay

[burma@xxxxxxxxxx]

PRESS RELEASE

May 26, 1997

BURMESE CALL FOR A.S.E.A.N DELAY

On the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the May 27, 1990 election
in Burma, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma calls
on the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to delay the
admittance of' the ruling military dictatorship, the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC), to the regional grouping.  SLORC's
continued use of violence and terrorism to suppress the legitimate
rights of the election winning party, the National League for Democracy
(NLD), to hold a party convention, clearly shows that the generals are
not yet ready to join civilized society.  

Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan and the United States have
condemned the recent arrests of hundreds of NLD elected representatives
and party members.  Even the Straits Times of Singapore has said in an
editorial on May 23, that SLORC's behavior is unacceptable and is
proving to be an embarrassment and that its membership could bring ASEAN
into disrepute.  In neighboring Thailand, an influential member of the
House of' Representatives Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, has
also questioned SLORC's political readiness to join the regional body. 
He argues that ASEAN cannot afford to have a member that blatantly,
cynically and consistently ignores international norms and values.  "Why
should the ASEAN governments and peoples have to bear the costs of
SLORC's folly and intransigence?" he asks.

The increased unrest in Burma as witnessed by SLORC's harassment and
imprisonment of political opponents beginning last May, the mobilization
of mobs by the military last June, the mob attack on Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi's motorcade last November, the two bomb explosions in December, the
attack on the Karenni, Karen and Shan people in January and February,
the anti-Muslim riots in March, and the bomb explosion in April at
General Tin Oo's home, are clear indications that the generals are
losing control in Burma and are not capable of solving the complex
problems they have created for themselves over the years.  

Economically speaking, Burma is also not ready.  Its economy has stalled
thanks to the generals' lack of understanding that in order to develop,
comprehensive reforms are needed. Ad hoc and piece meal measures are not
enough.  Sustained high military expenditures and decreasing
expenditures on social services are not indicators of development.  The
highly promoted 'Visit Myanmar Year 1996' has failed miserably and the
recent sanctions on new investments imposed by the United States, will
further depress the already risky investment climate.  

ASEAN membership should be postponed until Burma is ready both
politically and economically to take its place as a responsible member
of the international community.  

For Additional Information Contact:
NCGUB Information, Washington DC,
Tel:  (202) 393-7342 / 393-4312
Fax:  (202) 393-7343