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The BurmaNet News, May 3, 1997 (r)




------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------       
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"       
----------------------------------------------------------       
       
The BurmaNet News: June 3, 1997       
Issue #740
     
Noted in Passing:

After the doubtful impact of the stick of sanctions, the carrot of entry
into Asean has been discarded.

--(SCMP: Carrot And Stick) 

HEADLINES:       
==========     
ABC: BURMESE REGIME EASES LATEST RESTRICTIONS ON NLD
REUTER: JAPAN GRANTS FRESH AID TO BURMA
FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW: LOAN SQUEEZE
REUTER: UNOCAL DEFENDS BURMA INVESTMENTS 
REUTER: BURMA FOES DENOUNCE ASEAN ADMISSION 
THE NATION: NEW CASINO FOR KHUN SA
THAILAND TIMES: KHUN SA'S SON DONATES MONEY TO JUNTA
THAILAND TIMES: BURMESE LAUNCH FOUR CUT OFFENSIVE
THAILAND TIMES: BURMA TO BE INCLUDED IN BISTEC
TT: ASEAN STRATEGIC CONCERNS OVERRIDE RIGHTS ISSUE
NATION: NEW MEMBERS A BURDEN TO GROUP, MEDIA WARNS
THE NATION: HOUSE PANEL OPPOSED TO ASEAN ENTRY 
NATION: ASEAN NEEDS TO CHART CLEARER PATH FOR ARF
NCUB: STATEMENT ON DECISION TO ACCEPT BURMA 
BKK POST: BURMESE STUDENT GROUP DISAPPOINTED
ABSL: STATEMENT ON ASEAN
EDITORIALS: MEDIA COMMENTS ON ASEAN?S DECISION
-----------------------------------------------------------------     

ABC: BURMESE REGIME EASES LATEST RESTRICTIONS ON NLD OPPOSITION
June 3, 1997

Burma's military regime is reported to have ended its latest crackdown on 
supporters of pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The A-F-P news
agency says the SLORC has begun releasing supporters of her 
National League for Democracy party who were detained over the past two
weeks. The government had been attempting to prevent an N-L-D party congress
scheduled for last week. The easing of restrictions coincided with the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations's weekend decision to set July as the
date for Burma's full admission to the regional grouping.
--Australian Broadcasting Corporation

**************************************

REUTER: JAPAN GRANTS FRESH AID TO BURMA
June 2, 1997

 RANGOON, June 2, (Reuter) - Japan, a major creditor of Burma, has granted a
two billion yen ($17.2 million) loan to the Burmese military government, the
Japanese embassy in Rangoon said on Monday.
    The loan brings Japan's total loans to Burma to 102.9 billion yen
($884.4 million) over the past two decades, Japanese diplomatic sources said.
    Japan latest aid to debt-ridden Burma comes just after the Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to give Rangoon, as well as
Cambodia and Laos, membership in July.

************************************

FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW: LOAN SQUEEZE
June 5, 1997

The military junta in Rangoon is putting pressure on major foreign
corporations doing business in Burma to act as guarantors for loans from
foreign banks.  Sources in Rangoon say that Mitsui of Japan is in the
process of agreeing to become guarantor for a loan of $150 million which
will be channelled through the Bank of Tokyo.  This is the first time since
1987 that commercial loans to Burma have been guaranteed by private sources,
rather than a foreign donor country.  It indicates that Rangoon is facing an
acute shortage of foreign exchange, and that its official growth figures
have been inflated.  A recent confidential report form Burma's Central Bank
states that the provisional growth rate for 1996-97 will be 5.8%,
considerably lower than the official figures of 8%-9%.  The report also says
that the growth rate is declining: it was 7.5% in 1994-95 and 6.9% in
1995-96.  Until last year, foreigners and locals invested in the hotel and
real-estate sector, causing an inflow of foreign exchanges and relatively
high GDP growth figures.  Both those developments are now more or less over.

*****************************************

REUTER: UNOCAL DEFENDS BURMA INVESTMENTS AT ANNUAL MEETING
June 2, 1997
By David Brinkerhoff

BREA, Calif., June 2 (Reuter) - Unocal Corp. officials Monday defended the
oil company's controversial investments in Burma, telling shareholders it
had no plans to walk away from a planned $1.2 billion pipeline project.
	During the annual meeting, Chief Executive Officer Roger Beach pledged to
maintain the company's partial stake in the project despite criticism that
the company uses slave labor, causing the death and torture of Burmese workers.
	The pipeline, due for completion next year, is to carry natural gas from
offshore Burma to Thailand.
	``We remain fully committed to all projects in (Burma) that we're
participating in,'' Beach told about 500 stockholders at the meeting.
	Mounting international criticism, including sanctions against new U.S.
investment, has focused attention on Unocal's growing overseas investments,
which will account for two-thirds of its $1.34
billion capital spending in 1997.
	In his remarks, Beach stressed Unocal has improved the lives of Burmese
through schools, jobs, and health centers.
	``Every Unocal stockholder should be proud of our investment in (Burma),''
he said.
	About 95 percent of Unocal shareholders rejected two proposals to
investigate how much the Burmese investments would damage the company's
public image and to look into allegations of illegal drug laundering by one
of its Burmese partners. However, the proposals did receive enough support
to be considered at next year's meeting.
	During the two-hour meeting, which was puntuated by several outbursts from
critics of the company's policies, a dozen shareholders condemned Unocal's
policies and called for further investigations.
	Outside, about two dozen protesters waved placards or offered passing
motorists samples of fake heroin.
	Critics say one of Unocal's pipeline partners, Myanmar Oil and Gas
Interprise (MOGE), is a conduit for illegal drug laundering and that half
the heroin coming to the United States goes through Burma, also known as
Myanmar.
	``We're not condemning progress or development...but there is everything
wrong with doing this at the price of human dignity,'' said Father Joe La
Mar, a shareholder.
	Beach said Unocal was moving forward with its pipeline project, but if
forced out would still make money.
	``We're confident we can sell our interest at a premium,'' Beach said.

****************************************

REUTER: BURMA FOES DENOUNCE ASEAN ADMISSION OF RANGOON
June 2, 1997 [abridged]
 By Sutin Wannabovorn

 BANGKOK- Foes of Burma's ruling military government, including students in
exile and rebel groups, on Monday denounced ASEAN's weekend decision to
admit Burma as a member in July.
	 There was no statement on the issue from the beleaguered Burmese
opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) of pro-democracy leader Aung
San Suu Kyi, which has always urged  the regional grouping to delay
Rangoon's admission.
	 Repeated attempts to reach NLD leaders for commment by telephone in
Rangoon failed.
	 The Karen National Union (KNU), which is among a handful of ethnic rebel
groups fighting SLORC for greater autonomy for the eastern Karen state, said
the ASEAN decision could derail efforts for a peace settlement in Burma.
	 ``We are sad and disappointed at the ASEAN decision. The admission will
strengthen the SLORC position and make them more arrogant,'' KNU spokesman
Man Hsa told Reuters.
	 ``Before the admission the SLORC was interested in settling the problem by
political means, by negotiation. But now they will not be interested and
will concentrate on oppressing us more because they know ASEAN supports
them,'' he added.
	 The KNU has held several rounds of failed peace talks with SLORC.

**************************************

THE NATION: NEW CASINO FOR KHUN SA
June 1,1997

Thursday's Naew Na uncovered a reason behind the latest Thai - Burma border
row the Burmese military just wanted to pave construction ground for a new
casino and hotel financed by "retired " heroin kingpin Khun Sa.

The border tension broke out after Burmese troops started construction work
early this month on an islet in the Moei River which could alter the
country's demarcation line at Ban Kok Chang Phuak, Tambon Tha Sai Luad,
Tak's Mae Sot district.

The newspaper reported that the construction was actually to prepare a land
plot on the river bank for Khun Sa's new business project. The Burmese have
agreed to suspend the work, pending a new round of border meting next month,
it added.(TN)

******************************************************

THAILAND TIMES: KHUN SA'S SON DONATES MONEY TO JUNTA TO BUILD DAM
June 2, 1997
Assawin Pinitwong

TAK: The son of former opium warlord Khun Sa has donated 1430 million kyat
(7.05 million Baht) to the Burmese government for the construction of a dam
in Myawaddy township, in exchange for the military junta's permission to use
land close to the Thai frontier for business purposes, according to a Thai
border source.

The source said part of the budget for the dam construction was donated by
Chao Kham Huang in return for the go-ahead to pursue his joint-venture with
the Burmese government and a key Thai investor in a business complex and a
casino at Kok Chang Phuak Islet, the scene of recent border dispute between
the two countries.

The authorities in Myawaddy, which is opposite Mae Sot district, yesterday
began work on the 300-meter wide dam in a move believed to prevent any
potential damage to the channel in the river. The construction location is
opposite Tha Sai Laud district's Phut Sa jetty which is about 500 meters
from the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge, the source said.

Burma will also work on a 3-4 kilometer stretch of the river to prevent
damage to the river bank because the Mae Sot- Myawaddy custom house is a
strategic point linking major crossing jetties, as well as trading and
business areas.

Somboon Sa-ngiambutr, director general of the Treaties and Legal Affairs
Department, said the Burmese can proceed with the construction as long as
they do not violate the existing border demarcation.

The military junta plans to urgently complete the construction within this
month because the river current may change and could affect the construction
in the upcoming rainy season, the source said.

Somboon and his team of officials yesterday inspected the disputed islet.

A Thai border official, who refused to be named, voiced agreement with the
Burmese dam project, saying it can show clear areas on both side of the border.

*********************************************

THAILAND TIMES: BURMESE LAUNCH FOUR CUT OFFENSIVE AGAINST SURA
June 2, 1997
By Kachorn Boonpath 

MAE HONG SON: Burmese army has launched a "four-cut" tactic against the
rebel Shan United Revolutionary Army (SURA), causing severe hardships to
civilian Shan residents, said SURA deputy secretary-general Ud Kesi .

The clashes between the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)
soldiers and SURA troops have intensified in areas controlled by Shan rebels
since last month.

The junta has initiated the so-called four-cut strategy to defeat the
rebels, Ud said.

The strategy intends to cut off SURA's military and economic strengths as
well as supplies and communication. The last cut is a brutal beheading of
rebel supporters who defy the army's order, the Shan officer said.

Ud said the SLORC army's policy has already been enforced in the districts
of Namkhan, Khunhing, and Nai where the clashes have been most intense,
adding that the junta was committing unspeakable human rights violations
against Shan civilians.

He said local residents were forcibly moved from their villages despite the
upcoming harvest, and troops burnt down homes as well.

He said such action was expected to devastate the Shan civilians' food
supply, as many of the areas are major rice-producing in the Shan state.

In addition, the government troops often execute local civilians suspected
of supporting the SURA, which caused a tide of refugees to flee to Thailand.

Teya, 43, a Shan refugee from Nai township said the Burmese soldiers had
force I about 1,000 Shan civilians out of his village, and about 30 of them
were literally slaughtered for being suspected of supporting the SURA rebels.

He said nearly 1,600 families from many villages at the southern part of
Lang Klua township also fled the Burmese offensive by entering Thailand' s
Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai provinces where they took up menial
jobs for a meager existence.

A recent media report said that about 20 SURA soldiers were killed in the
battle with the junta troops while the SLORC lost no fewer than 60 if its
men after moving three army battalions last month wipe out the rebels.

********************************************

THAILAND TIMES: BURMA TO BE INCLUDED IN BISTEC GROUPING
June 2, 1997

BANGKOK: While ASEAN is working to expand its members to 10 countries in
July, a new economic cooperation grouping, Bistec, also plans to include
Burma in its fold by next year.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pitak Intrawityanunt said yesterday the Bangladesh,
India, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation (Bistec) is planning to
include Burma, but Burma is not ready at the moment.

The minister, who just finished a four-day trip to India last week, said
India has asked Thailand to hold a dialogue with Burma to help prepare Burma
for its obligations in the Bistec.

Government ministers from the Bistec countries will sign an agreement on
economic cooperation this Friday at the Foreign Ministry. Representatives
from Burma have been invited to observe the signing ceremony, to be held in
the same place where the ASEAN charter was first signed three decades ago.

Despite having been criticized for human rights abuse by the United Nations,
Western countries and NGOs, Burma will have no  problem entering the Bistec,
said deputy FM Pitak. He said the Bistec is a group aiming at economic
cooperation and increased trade and has nothing to do with political matters.

The Bistec countries make up 10 percent of the world consumer market with a
total population of 1.2 billion which is one-fifth of the world's population.

In the future, the Bistec will invite Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia to
join as well.

The seven-nation Asean will reach a final agreement to include Burma, Laos
and Cambodia by next month.

***********************************************
                                    
THAILAND TIMES: ASEAN STRATEGIC CONCERNS OVERRIDE BURMA RIGHTS ISSUE
June 2, 1997 [abridged]
By Bill Tarrant  
Reuters, Kuala Lumpur

Strategic concerns appear to have outweighed pressure over human rights in
the Association of South East Asian Nations'  (ASEAN) decision to make
Burma, along with Cambodia and Laos, full members next month.

"It' s important to have them in before they relapse again in isolationism.
Right now they are too dependent on China," said Jusuf Wanandi, chairman of
the supervisory board of Indonesia's Centre for Strategic and International
Studies.

That was under lined on Friday when official media in Rangoon reported Burma
had signed a broad economic and trade agreement with China, a move coming
soon after the US sanctions.

China is one of Burma's closest allies and is said to be its biggest
supplier of weapons .

Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas referred to the strategic importance
of the new members on Saturday.

"I think we are also taking into account the overall and long-term
consideration o f peace and security and tranquility in our part of the
world," Alatas told reporters.

"We are complete now. And we are in a better position in ASEAN to
contribute to peace and stability in our own region as well as in the larger
region of East Asia."

ASEAN officials have also expressed worries that it the situation in Burma
deteriorated further it could spill over into their borders.

Southeast Asian nations, who were reluctant hosts to hundreds of
thousands of Vietnamese refugees for years, do not want to see a similar
exodus from Burma, analysts said.
 
********************************************

THE NATION: NEW MEMBERS A BURDEN TO GROUP, MEDIA WARNS
June 2, 1997
Agence France-Presse

TOKYO - The decision by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)
to admit Burma, Cambodia and Laos could become an economic and political
burden for the trade - driven group, the Japanese media warned yesterday.

"The economic gaps among Southeast Asian  nations are far larger than those
in the European Union [EU], and we cannot help feeling it [Asean] has set a
train in motion by shelving these differences," the Sankei Shimbun said in a
dispatch from Kuala Lumpur.

"The "Asean - 10" will give a birth to a unified region of 500 million
people surpassing the EU," the daily said.

"However, there is concern that the entry of the three countries , which are
economically inferior and politically unstable, will fetter Asean," the
daily said.

"The three countries have yet to draw up blueprints for forming a free trade
area," it said, although adding the 10 member group " would certainly exert
strong political power as a unified Southeast Asia,"

The Yomiuri Shimbun said: "Asean will need to step up political and economic
assistance to the new members, as there is no guarantee that both countries
[Burma and Cambodia ] would not plunge into a political turmoil." 

Another future concern for Asean will be friction with the West and human
rights organisations, especially the United States, the papers said.

"Some trouble is forecast for an enlarged Asean foreign ministers' meeting
in July," in which United States and other Western nations will take part,
the Mainichi Shim bun said.

"The decision at this time could be taken as a clear challenge to the human
rights oriented diplomacy of the United States.

The gap between the United States and Asean over human rights is likely to
deepen," it said.

The Sankei said Asean had made " Asian standards" a priority and added the
approval of the Asean - 10 was aimed at distinguishing "Asian values from
Western values."

"Even a playboy can become a good husband after his marriage, with the
family's help. That's the Asian way," the Sankei quoted Foreign Minister
Prachuab Chaiyasan as saying in his support for the Asean - 10.(TN)    

******************************************************

THE NATION: HOUSE PANEL OPPOSED TO ASEAN ENTRY FOR BURMA
June 2, 1997

THE House committee on foreign affairs yesterday voiced opposition to
Asean's decision to admit Burma to the organisation in July, saying it
should have waited for a significant improvement in the country's human
rights record. 

Spokesman Noppadol Pattama said yesterday that Asean should have admitted
only Laos and Cambodia in July, and delayed Burma's admission until the
ruling junta had improved human rights and made satisfactory moves towards
democracy. 

''Asean should have set a minimum criteria for the admission of Burma to the
organisation. At this stage Asean should have decided only on the admission
of Laos and Cambodia," Noppadol, a Bangkok MP from the Democrat Party, said. 

Asean foreign ministers reached the decision on Saturday morning after
overcoming differences at an informal meeting on Friday night. 

The Philippines, Thailand and Singapore had expressed reservations over
problems in Burma and Cambodia. 

Noppadol said Thailand should have an independent foreign policy and deal
with Burma in a firm and constructive way. 

''We must speak to the Burmese frankly about the border problems [affecting
Thailand] such as the dredging in the Moei River, the influx of thousands of
refugees and illegal workers. 

''These are problems which Thailand has to shoulder and the Burmese
government should take more responsibility," he said. 

The flood of illegal workers was becoming a social problem and threatened
the security of the country.

Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasan said on his return from the Asean
meeting yesterday that the decision to admit all three countries in July was
aimed at enhancing regional peace and security. 

He said Asean had held extensive discussions on the timing of their
membership and agreed that further delay would not improve the situation in
Burma or Cambodia. 

Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, chairman of the Asean
Standing Committee, will visit Rangoon, Phnom Penh and Vientiane this month.
Badawi will officially inform them of the decision and also reaffirm Asean's
extended assistance to help expedite preparations for formal admission. 

All three countries were making technical preparations towards joining the
association, but still needed more assistance in terms of personnel and
training, Prachuab said. 

The three would be given 10 years starting from 1998 to comply with the
Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) agreement. Burma would submit its exclusion
list by July, and the other two before the Asean Economic Ministers' meeting
in October. 

Prachuab said the Saturday meeting also agreed to expand the Asean
secretariat by the appointment of an additional deputy secretary-general. 

The ministers nominated a Thai, Suthad Setboonsarng, the director general of
the Afta bureau, for the additional post of deputy secretary-general
handling economic matters concerning Afta. 

Indonesia's Emanuel Robert Inkiriwang, assistant to the ambassador at large
for Non-Aligned Movement affairs, will fill the vacant position of deputy
secretary-general and will handle political and protocol issues. 

Asean's Burma decision also triggered protests in Asia's press and strong
warnings from Japan that it could pose an economic burden on the grouping. 

The Yomiuri Shimbun said: ''Asean will need to step up political and
economic assistance to the new members, as there is no guarantee that both
countries [Burma and Cambodia] would not plunge into a political turmoil." 

Burmese students in exile warned that attempts to develop relations with the
junta had only led to increased repression. 

''The ministers made a conscious decision to blatantly ignore the wishes of
the Burma's citizens," the All Burma Students Democratic Foundation said in
a statement. 

It said Burma should be admitted only after making concrete democratic
reforms.  (TN)

***************************************************

THE NATION: ASEAN NEEDS TO CHART CLEARER PATH FOR ARF
June 2, 1997
By Kavi Chongkittavorn 

What is the future direction of the Asean Regional Forum? This question
needs a clear answer as the ARF enters its fourth year. When the ARF was
first established in Bangkok in July 1994, it was acceptable that it be a
talk-shop for addressing issues in general without any substance or direction. 

At that time, the founding members agreed that the ARF process should
progress in three stages. It would start with confidence-building measures,
to be followed up by a second stage involving preventative diplomacy. The
final stage, if it ever came, was to be an ''elaboration of approach
to conflict" ­ a euphemism for conflict-resolution.

A strong feeling prevails among ARF members that as the only East Asian
security forum, the ARF should move forward with concrete plans that go
beyond the current confidence-building measures. But since not all the 20
countries and the European Union are in synch regarding the future direction
of the ARF, any idea or plan to broaden the current agenda is viewed with
scepticism by some observers. 

The ARF has held several inter-sessional meetings involving all members on
key areas of confidence building such as search and rescue operations,
peace-keeping operations, and disaster relief. In fact, some of these
activities could be considered as preventative diplomacy. But while some ARF
members believe the ARF process has already moved into the second stage,
others are not comfortable with this interpretation. 

Within the ARF, the Western members ­ US, Australia, Canada, the EU and New
Zealand ­ and Japan desire to see the ARF proceed with greater speed and
more activities. But Asean, which continues to be the main driving force
behind the forum, wants to make sure that any moves are welcomed by all its
members. 

China and Russia, for different reasons, have stood alone. Since China's ARF
membership is the only security link the Asian giant has with the world,
Beijing is extremely careful not to lose control and move too fast in the
ARF process. 

 Having said that, it is not surprising that China's attitude to  the ARF
has been a mixture of enthusiasm and caution. Beijing's primary aim has
always been to move slowly and stay engaged in the process at a level that
other members would not complain about. Beijing's recent co-chairing of a
confidence-building inter-sessional meeting was a case in point. 

Although Russia is an ARF founding member, its role is still marginal. This
is partly due to the domestic crisis inside Russia that has weakened its
international creditability. But the situation is changing. As President
Boris Yeltsin consolidates power, and with the success of the Russia-Nato
agreement, its security clout in the ARF could be boosted in the future. 

Against this background, there have been new developments in the ARF
process. At the recent ARF senior officials meeting in the sea resort of
Langkawi Island, defence and security officials accompanying the ARF
delegations had an informal lunch hosted by Malaysia. It was the first time
these officials had informally discussed security issues among themselves,
separate from the plenary sessions. With defence and security personnel
links moving closer, Washington has proposed defence or security officials
be included in the plenary session.. 

The ARF plenary session is normally restricted to a foreign minister and one
senior official. If the coming ARF meeting in July approves the idea,
defence and security officials would be included in the fifth ARF in the
Philippines next year. 

Nonetheless, the future of the ARF is still far from clear. Various ideas
have been discussed, but no consensus reached. For instance, as part of
preventative diplomacy, a greater role for the ARF chairman in handling
disputes or acting as a mediator has been sought.

In fact, this was the outcome of the forceful role played by Indonesian
Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, who chaired the last ARF meeting in Jakarta
last year. He used his chairmanship to prevent discord among members over
the Burmese issue, and ushered in Rangoon as a member of the ARF.. 

A proposal that ARF members designate a contact person in their respective
embassies, who would meet with his counterparts as frequently as deemed
necessary, has been discussed but no decision made. 

With the Asean decision to admit Laos, Cambodia and Burma as new members,
the position of the regional grouping has been strengthened, but it also now
carries new responsibilities. Though serious security hotspots such as the
South China Sea, Burma and the Korean Peninsula have been highlighted in
past ARF meetings, Asean has yet to play a leading role in these issues. For
instance, on the South China Sea disputes, efforts have been made, mainly by
Beijing, to move the discussion away from the ARF. China has argued that all
the other claimants are members of Asean. In addition, the claimants are
already holding annual consultations at senior officials level on this
problem and other bilateral issues.. 

Only in recent weeks have Asean members finally realised that to make the
ARF an effective institution they need to learn and be more active in
regional security, especially the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi's recent visit to Pyongyang was
part of his familiarisation tour to learn first hand about the famine
situation and the needs of North Korea.

 Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasan has also said that Asean must adopt a
higher profile in regional security and that Asean foreign ministers need to
exchange information and views on regional issues more frequently. 

Asean still lacks knowledge and expertise in international security issues
as well as management of conflicts. Asean's experience in managing regional
conflicts has yet to be applied elsewhere. While it is accepted by ARF
members, Asean's main regional instrument, the Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation, has yet to make an impact on serious issues such as arms
control, security cooperation and conflict prevention in the broader
Asia-Pacific region. .

If Asean fails to lead and give a clear direction, its future role in the
ARF will be inevitably diluted. (TN)

***************************************************

NCUB: STATEMENT ON DECISION TO ACCEPT BURMA AS MEMBER OF ASEAN IN COMING JULY
June 2, 1997

        NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE UNION OF BURMA

NCUB Statement on Decision to Accept Burma as Member of ASEAN in Coming July

            Regarding the decision of ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in
Kualalumpur to accept Burma as a full menber of the ASEAN in coming July, on
the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, we, the NCUB,
would like to make an earnest statement as follows:-

* The ASEAN countries are cognizant of the fact that the SLORC is not a
goverment that has been elected by the people of Burma, and that the SLORC
has been oppressing extensively the indigenous ethnic nationalities and the
people of Burma, in general, by force of arm, and that the country lacks
stability and has been under increasing tension.

* The ASEAN countries are also aware of the fact that far from recognizing
the call to resolve the political problems of Burma by political means made
by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi leader of the NLD party which won in the May 1990
election, leaders of the ethnic nationalities, pro-democracy leaders and the
patriots, the SLORC has been branding them as the common enemy for total
annihilation and attacking them.

* The ethnic nationalities and the people, the political parties and leaders
representing them, have urged the ASEAN countries, on several occasions, not
to accept Burma as a member of the ASEAN until there is a positive change in
the political situation of the country.

* Given the present sitution, the decision  to accept Burma prematurely as a
member of the ASEAN is gravely in the wrong, as it is diametrically opposed
to the wishes of the ethnic nationalities and the people in general, and
those of the leaders and organizations representing them.

* All actions counter to the wishes of the ethnic nationalities and the
people of a country, and those of the leaders and organizations representing
them, are a serious interference in the internal affairs of that country,
because the right of self-determination of a country does not in any way
mean the self-determination of the military dictatorship which has been
subjecting the people to its repressive rule. The right of
self-determination of a country is meant for the real masters of that
country, being the indigenous ethnic nationalities and the people in general
and their true leaders.

* In conclusion, we would like to earnestly urge all concerned to amend the
decision of ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, as the acceptance of Burma as a
member of ASEAN, before there is a positive political change, could lead to
adverse consequences for both Burma as well as ASEAN and, with regard to the
affairs of Burma, to act only in accordance with the wishes of the ethnic
nationalities and the people, and the leaders and organizations representing
them.

********************************************

BKK POST: BURMESE STUDENT GROUP DISAPPOINTED
June 2, 1997
Ralph Bachoe

Call Asean decision an 'historic mistake'

A Burmese dissident student group yesterday said Asean's decision to admit
Burma into the regional grouping was an "historic mistake" which would only
encourage the brutal military regime to step up its campaign of terror
against the Burmese people.

"Amid the height of repression inside Burma, the ABSDF [All Burma Students's
Democratic Front] is disappointed to learn of its entry into Asean this July.

"We are also extremely disturbed by the decision made in the Asean Foreign
Ministers Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on May 31. The ministers made a conscious
choice to blatantly ignore the wishes of the overwhelming majority of
Burma's citizens," it said in statement released yesterday.

It said the decision had perfectly portrayed the reality of the
"unconstructive engagement" policy of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations towards the Burmese people and their aspirations for democracy, and
the realisation of human rights.

ABSDF said admitting the "international pariah," the ruling State Law and
Order Restoration Council, into the regional grouping would only tarnish
Asean's reputation.

"We believe that Burma's admission into Asean will not promote the social,
political and economic situation in Burma, and in the long run, will cost
Asean member states dearly."

It also reminded Asean that without requirements for clear political and
democratic changes, Slorc will inevitably step up its campaign of terror
against the people of Burma.

The student body, founded after the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy groups
in 1988, called Asean's decision an "historic mistake" which has legitimised
a brutal and illegal military regime.

"With renewed arrogance from the legitimacy provided by Asean, the Slorc
will not only persist in its violations of the rights of its own citizens,
but will continue to break international laws and agreement, undermining
regional stability."

The group has urged Asean to reconsider its decision saying, "only after
Burma has made concrete democratic changes, starting by entering into a
formal political dialogue with the National League for Democracy (NLD) and
ethnic nationalities, will it be time to admit Burma into the regional forum."

It also noted with "grave concern" the detention of nine Malaysians who were
arrested while attempting to deliver a memorandum on Burma to the Asean
Foreign Ministers Meeting on Saturday.

"We condemn the harassment of these supporters of democracy and human rights
and call for their immediate and unconditional release". (BP)

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EDITORIALS: MEDIA COMMENTS ON ASEAN?S DECISION

Below are excerpts from some of the editorials criticizing Asean?s decision
to admit Burma, Cambodia, and Laos to the economic grouping in July.  

BKK POST: ASEAN CREATES NEW PROBLEMS FOR ITSELF
June 2, 1997
Editorial

	Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations decided at the
weekend to accept three new members. Burma, Cambodia and Laos will be
admitted to Asean next month. Respectively, the three represent the region's
brutal regime, its unstable, and its poorest. Many wonder whether Asean is
putting itself at risk.
	The decision to admit Burma is repugnant to many Asean citizens, who resent
having their governments identified with the brutal Slorc. It is true that
regimes within Asean run the gamut from dictatorship to democracy, and from
repressive to free. But the Rangoon regime stands alone in how it treats its
people.
	Vietnam suppresses dissent, but does not routinely detain, torture and jail
citizens by the hundreds. There is serious corruption in Thailand and the
Philippines, but the governments do not finance economic development through
naroctics traffikcing. Singapore and Malaysia are dominated by ruling
parties, but outsiders sit in their parliaments. The Asean seven will now
face serious problems as a result of the decision.
	As a trade group, they will face practical problems from international
partners who refuse to trade with any Slorc representative. As a political
group, Asean will face questions over whether it has any ethics. Even within
the area, the disparity between strong countries and the weak, new members,
will greatly delay all plans for trade free of government restriction.
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THE TIMES OF INDIA: MALAISE IN MYANMAR
June 2, 1997
By A S Abraham

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SCMP: ALL THAT GLISTERS . . . 
Editorial 
May 1, 1997

	The relationship between some tiger economies and the US often resembles
the conflict between a disapproving parent and a rebellious teenager who
prefers to damage his own interests for the pleasure of thumbing his nose at
convention. 
	Developing countries have a natural, and justified, aversion to being told
what to do by the West, but on occasions it reaches such proportions that it
seems to obliterate all other considerations.
	Domestic problems also indicate that accepting Burma may prove a hindrance
than an asset. Asean may find it would have been wiser to wait, not in
America's interest, but in their own.

------------------------------------

SCMP: CARROT AND STICK 
June 2, 1997

After the doubtful impact of the stick of sanctions, the carrot of entry
into Asean has been discarded.
	It is now for the Asean governments to show that their brand of
constructive engagement can bring improvement in Burma. They have given the
SLORC a legitimacy which it would have been more effective to have withheld
until such improvements were evident. The Asean action will inevitably
discourage those within Burma fighting for their rights. Nor will they be
helped by a conflict between Asean and Washington which nominally centres on
Burma, but, in effect, reflects a wider dispute about intervention in
defence of human rights. As always in such cases, it is all too easy for the
interests of those who should be given help to be relegated to second place
behind political concerns.
----------------------------------

JERUSALEM POST: SHAME ON SOUTHEAST ASIA
June 1, 1997
Editorial

In making this shameful capitulation to the strong-arm brigands of
Rangoon, (Asean leaders) have tainted their admirable anniversary
celebrations. The imprisoned democrats in the jails of ASEAN's newest
member will have little to celebrate. In this decision, neither does ASEAN.

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