Australia and Burma have clashed ov

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Subject: Australia and Burma have clashed over human rights


	AUSTRALIAN AND BURMESE FOREIGN MINISTERS CLASH OVER RIGHTS
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          Australia and Burma have clashed over human rights.

          Graeme Dobell reports, the difference emerged just after a
          meeting in Kuala Lumpur between the Foreign Minister,
          Alexander Downer, and his Burmese counterpart.

          The Burmese foreign minister On Gyaw emerged from a
          meeting with Mr Downer and told ABC-TV they did not
          dicsuss human rights. When he heard the remark the
          Australian foreign minister said he was very surprised and
          range the Burmese foreign minister to clarify the remark.
          Mr Downer told journalists On Gyaw has claimed to have
          misunderstood the two questions on human rights. Mr
          Downer said their dicussions had covered the issue of
          detainees in Burma and refugees. He told a press
          conference that the pace of constitutional reform in Burma
          was like glue going uphill. Mr Downer said the Burmese
          minister has agreed Australia would sent a special envoy to
          Burma. 

	(ABC News, 27 July 1997)

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