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Foes denounce Burma admission as ju
- Subject: Foes denounce Burma admission as ju
- From: ausgeo@xxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 17:54:00
Subject: Foes denounce Burma admission as junta releases critics
Tuesday June 3 1997
Asean
Foes denounce Burma admission as junta releases critics
AGENCIES in Bangkok and Washington
Enemies of Burma's Government - including America, exiled students and rebel
groups - yesterday denounced the decision to admit it to Asean.
But there was no comment from the beleaguered opposition National League for
Democracy headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, which had urged the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to delay Rangoon's admission.
The ruling junta ended its latest clampdown against party supporters and
started releasing those detained in the past two weeks.
The party had called on Asean not to admit Rangoon because of repression by
the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council.
The US State Department said the make-up of Asean was an internal matter for
member countries to make. But spokesman Julie Reside added: "Nonetheless, we
regret that Asean appears to have invited Burma to join its organisation at
this time."
The association said Burma, along with Cambodia and Laos, would be admitted
late next month.
Its decision came despite American pressure not to admit Burma because of
human rights concerns.
European Union officials said despite being granted Asean membership, Burma
would not be invited to next year's Asia-Europe meeting in London.
Although current Asean countries are all involved in the Asia-Europe dialogue
(along with China, Japan and Korea), membership does not mean an automatic
invitation to the twice-yearly meetings, said a spokesman for the British
Foreign Office, which will host the talks.
"I cannot see there being a consensus on Burma coming to London," he added.
Burma's leaders are barred from visiting Europe under sanctions imposed by the
EU.
The Karen National Union, one of a handful of ethnic rebel groups fighting the
junta 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 decision," it said.
The Thai parliamentary committee on foreign affairs opposed the decision,
saying: "Asean should have set a minimum criteria for the admission of Burma."
Vietnam welcomed the move. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "Asean does not
impose conditions on a country's internal affairs if it wishes to gain entry."
Philippine Foreign Minister Domingo Siazon, whose country takes over the
chairmanship of Asean at July's meeting, said yesterday: "The chairman of the
Asean standing committee will see if democratic reforms are under way [in the
new member states]".
Japan, a major creditor of Burma, has granted a two billion yen (HK$120
million) loan to the Government, the Japanese Embassy in Rangoon said
yesterday.
South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd.