ASEAN official says Burma's involve

[082903@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: ASEAN official says Burma's involvement in security dialogue "good".


	ASEAN OFFICIAL SAYS BURMA'S INVOLVEMENT IN SECURITY DIALOGUE "GOOD"
	*******************************************************************

          A senior South East Asian official says the involvement of
          Burma in regional security dialogues would be an advantage,
          allowing Asian neighbours to have direct exchanges of views
          with Rangoon.

          The ASEAN Regional Forum of South East Asian nations
          will hold its fourth meeting in Kuala Lumpur in late July,
          following a ministerial meeting of the Association of South
          East Asian Nations, or ASEAN.

          At that meeting, Laos and Burma will be admitted as ASEAN
          members.

          ASEAN's Secretary-General, Ajit Singh, said their admission
          would bring the vision of the group's founding fathers closer
          to reality.

          His comments came after surprise talks between Burma's
          opposition and the ruling junta in Rangoon.

          The junta described the talks as friendly and cordial.

	  [18 July 1997, ABC News]

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

	News and Information Dept
	All Burma Students' Democratic Organisation (ABSDO) [Australia]
	Tel/Fax: 61+03+98132613
	
	--------------------------------------------------------------------