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Foes denounce Burma admission as ju



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.