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Hashimoto concerned over Burma acti



Subject: Hashimoto concerned over Burma action

Wednesday May 28 5:32 AM EDT 

Hashimoto concerned over Burma action

TOKYO, May 28 (UPI) _ Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto says he hopes Burma's
entry into
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will not mean the military junta
is spared criticism in
the future. 

Hashimoto expressed concern to journalists Wednesday over the Burmese
government's blocking
of a pro-democracy meeting in Rangoon. 

The prime minister says, ``We hope (Burma's) membership in ASEAN will not
give immunity to
the military regime's actions.'' 

The seven-members ASEAN alliance plans to admit Burma into the regional
group this year. 

Burma's ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council has blocked roads
leading to the house
of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to prevent people from attending a
gathering by her
National League for Democracy (NLD). 

The NLD meeting was planning to mark the seventh anniversary of the party's
victory in the 1990
general elections, the results of which SLORC has refused to recognize after
refusing to relinquish
power. 

NLD members says the military junta has arrested or detained more than 300
NLD delegates in a
bid to prevent them from attending the planned gathering.