AP: What ASEAN Wants

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What ASEAN Wants

   By GEOFF SPENCER
 Associated Press Writer
   JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
defended its growing ties with Burma today, rejecting demands for sanctions
to pressure its military rulers to improve human rights.
   Burma is to be given observer status in ASEAN at a weekend meeting of
foreign ministers in Jakarta, and eventually is expected to become a full
member of the group.
   "ASEAN has one cardinal rule, and that is not to interfere ... in the
internal affairs of other countries," said Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali
Alatas, chairman of the weekend meeting.
   ASEAN leaders say their "constructive engagement" policy of dealing with
Burma's generals rather than ostracizing them will persuade them to end
their crackdown on pro-democracy activists led by Aung San Suu Kyi, winner
of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize.
   Alatas said ASEAN's approach has already helped ease political and
economic problems in Burma, also known as Myanmar.
   "Any objective observer would see that there have been some very
positive developments," he said, including last year's release of Suu Kyi
from house arrest.
   Western countries are expected to raise the issue of sanctions against
Burma during talks after the weekend meeting, but Alatas said ASEAN
officials will listen but aren't likely to be swayed.
   "ASEAN does not believe that the slapping of economic sanctions (on
Burma) would be productive," he said.
   ASEAN was formed in 1967 as a bulwark against the spread of communism in
the region. Its formal goal is to promote economic and social cooperation.
   In addition to Indonesia, ASEAN members are Singapore, Malaysia,
Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam. Alatas said he hoped that
Burma, as well as Laos and Cambodia, would soon join.
   "Hopefully, yes, by the end of the century, all 10 Southeast Asian
countries will be under one single roof," Alatas told reporters. "That
would be in fulfillment of the long-held dream of the ASEAN founding
fathers."
   
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