Reuters-Myanmar denies it poses thr

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Subject: Reuters-Myanmar denies it poses threat to region 

Myanmar denies it poses threat to region
04:58 a.m. Aug 10, 1999 Eastern
YANGON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Military-ruled Myanmar has denied that it poses a
threat to Asian security, saying it seeks friendly relations with all
countries.

In an apparent response to U.S. concerns, the nation's intelligence chief
was quoted by official media on Tuesday as saying suggestions Myanmar was a
regional threat were groundless.

``Some Western countries that have negative views on Myanmar have made
unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations, saying that certain developments
in Myanmar can pose a threat to the peace and security of the region,''
Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt said.

``Such allegations are completely groundless,'' he said at the start of a
course on diplomacy at the Foreign Ministry on Monday.

Khin Nyunt, considered the most powerful figure in the ruling military
council, was apparently responding to remarks made last month by U.S.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

She said Myanmar was a security threat to the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations, of which Myanmar is a member.

Impoverished Myanmar has 435,000 personnel under arms. Diplomats say it has
strengthened its armed forces in recent years even as problems with ethnic
insurgencies receded.

``A review of the past will show Myanmar had always avoided actions that
could be regarded as posing a danger to other nations,'' Khin Nyunt said.

``The same will hold good for the future. We would like to state
categorically that Myanmar will never allow its territory to be used for
threatening the nations of the region.''

He said Myanmar aimed to develop friendly relations with all nations,
especially neighbours. He said relations with neighbours had been
strengthened by growing economic cooperation and trade.

He said trade volume, including border trade, with Thailand, Laos, China,
India and Bangladesh was worth billions of dollars.

The 1998-1999 edition of The Military Balance, published by the
International Institute for Strategic Studies, puts the total strength of
Myanmar's armed forces at 435,000, including paramilitary units, out of a
population of around 47 million.