AFP-Myanmar junta says relations wi

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Myanmar junta says relations with US at their "lowest ebb"
Sun 20 Sep 98 - 09:07 GMT 

BANGKOK, Sept 20 (AFP) - Myanmar has accused Washington of pushing
bilateral relations to their "lowest ebb" and ignoring democratic
developments in the military state, an official statement said Sunday.

"Frankly speaking, the current state of US-Myanmar relations are at their
lowest ebb," the junta's ambassador to the United States, Tin Winn, was
quoted as saying in the state-controlled Myanmar Monitor journal.



"We wish to restore our traditionally good relations with the United
States, however, it takes two to tango," he added.



The United States has led an international drive to limit trade with
Yangon, banning all new investment in 1997 amid a chorus of complaints
about human rights abuses under the strict military regime.



The US government Saturday warned of a terrorist threat to American
diplomatic and business interests in Myanmar and urged citizens there to
take extra security precautions.



"The US embassy in Rangoon (Yangon) is taking steps to increase security,
is advising US government personnel and American citizens and their
families of the potential threat," the State Department said.



It urged American citizens in Myanmar to "maintain a low profile, vary
routes and times for all required travel and treat mail from unfamiliar
sources with suspicion."



Tin Winn said relations were strained because Washington, like other
Western powers, misunderstood the junta and failed to appreciate the
military's central role in the country.