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Downer criticises EU's stance on Bu



Subject: Downer criticises EU's stance on Burma

Downer criticises EU's stance on Burma
Tuesday 23 February, 1999 (4:54pm AEDT) 
  
  The Australian Government says Europe is sacrificing its whole
relationship with South-East Asia to the issue of Burma.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer criticised the stance of the European
Union at the end of talks in Singapore.

The European Union is threatening to cancel a meeting with ASEAN if Burma's
Foreign Minister attends. 

Mr Downer says it is not a good time for Europe to turn its back on ASEAN
even if Burma is now a member of the association. 

The Foreign Minister says Europe should go ahead with the talks and not let
the whole relationship be a hostage to the Burma issue. 

Mr Downer says Europe should focus on Asia's economic problems and
Indonesia's attempt to turn itself into the world's third largest democracy. 


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