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East Asia Today-Interview with Burm



East Asia Today
August 7th 1998

Burmese Ambassador in London 
Talks of Better Understanding and Dialogue

In East Asia, regional pressures on Burma for change seem to be mounting.
And there does appear to be a confluence of ASEAN and Western approaches.
The Rangoon junta, under pressure even from its friends in the region, is
looking increasingly isolated. A point East Asia Today's, Tim Luard, put to
the Burmese Ambassador in London, U Win Aung: 

U Win Aung: I don't think we are being isolated in this way in ASEAN. ASEAN
has one thing in common with us - that's why we joined ASEAN -
non-intervention in other people's, other countries' affairs. We have been
practising this, and peaceful co-existence, since independence. So now,
ASEAN has come up with this, and we are also very much open to ASEAN. 

Tim Luard: Would you agree that your foreign minister was left looking a
very lonely figure indeed at the recent ASEAN meeting as everyone's
attention was focussed on Aung San Suu Kyi blocked in her car during her
protest, and all the Asian and Western ministers were united in condemning
your government?

U Win Aung: Our foreign minister might have faced these accusations and
criticisms, but I think that he also handled it very well. And he answered
all questions, from the people, from the press. That what democracy, or
diplomacy, is for.

Tim Luard: He said Aung San Suu Kyi was destabilising society when everyone
else pointed out that she was in fact merely trying legally and peacefully
to meet her party members.

U Win Aung: Now there is a coincidence in the timing in August - timing
with the university examinations, then timing with Manila meeting. Why did
Aung San Suu Kyi choose this particular time, knowing that she might be
stopped because she had been requested to turn back? What we really don't
need at the moment in our country is chaotic situation.

Tim Luard: But you can't go on forever saying this or that is a sensitive
time, there may be instability. How long can your government survive
without opening up politically and economically?

U Win Aung: That's a question for those who are opposing the government's
moves in every way. If they came to rational thinking and then come to work
together and cooperate with the government, the process will be expedited.
But when they are just opposing whatever moves the government is doing
insincerely, and then denouncing every move the putting pressure from every
angle, then it will just cause delay. What we really need is understanding
among our own people.

Tim Luard: And understanding includes dialogue with the National League for
Democracy?

U Win Aung: Maybe one-day dialogue. And we have tried for dialogue. First,
what we need is personal contacts, and from then better understanding.
Based on this better understanding and personal contacts, we can create a
dialogue with sincerity from both sides. I think we can achieve that.