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Mahathir hints at boycott of ASEAM



Mahathir hints at boycott of ASEM

The Hindu (3/9/97).
By V.Jayanth

SINGAPORE, Sept. 2
Myanmar has become a thorny issue in he relations between Southeast Asia
and Europe.

The Malaysian Prime Minister. Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, has joined issue
with the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Robin Cook, who declared
yesterday that there was no way Myanmar could participate in the Asia
Europe Meeting (ASEM) to be held in London next April.

Asked to comment on that statement, Dr. Mahathir said in Kuala Lumpur
the ASEAN could even think of Boycotting the ASEM if the European side
insisted on banning Myanmar from the dialogue.

Calling it a "discrimination" not only against Myanmar. but also the
ASEAN, the Malaysian Premier expected some other ASEAN countries to
support his stand on participating in the summit of the leaders of 2 5
Asian and European countries who formed the ASEM in 1996.

While Dr. Mahathir is known for his strong feelings on Myanmar and the
need for the rest of the world to keep out of the Asean's affairs,
diplomats here are surprised at his comment.

They argued: "There is no question of a ban and there is no question
either of Myanmar attending the London meeting of the ASEM.

"Both during the first summit of leaders in Bangkok last year and the
first meeting of Foreign Ministers hosted here in February, the issue of
expanding the ASEM did figure. But no decisions have been taken. As
things stand today there is no consensus on inviting any new member to
London, leave alone Myanmar."

What has surprised European diplomats is the hint of boycott from an
ASEAN leader. "We do not know if Dr. Mahathir spoke out of turn or was
in a hurry as usual to launch the offensive.

"European and Asian leaders are agreed that any future expansion or
enlargement will be on the basis of mutual consent and consensus. Asian
members will clear new participants from their side, while the European
Union will decide on new members from the continent. So far, no
additions have been decided upon. So there was no need for any specific
comment on Myanmar.

"The British Foreign Secretary was only responding to a question at a
press conference yesterday on whether Myanmar would be invited to ASEM",
the diplomats explained.