Japan parliament's 3/97 statement r

[burma1un@xxxxxxxxxxx]

DECLARATION

	The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 
at its regular conference of foreign ministers to be held 
this July plans to simultaneously accept as members the 
current observer status nations Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, 
while promoting active diplomacy between heads of state to 
realize the "ASEAN 10" organization of 10 Southeast Asian 
states, which will signify a "unified Southeast Asia" in the 
true sense of the word.  In particular, all ASEAN leaders 
are scheduled to pay their first visit to Myanmar from the 
end of January through June, to take part in talks with 
Chairman Than Shwe of the State Law and Order Restoration 
Council (SLORC).
	With regard to the issue of democracy for Myanmar, 
ASEAN has adopted a policy aimed at fostering the process of 
transition to civilian government through "constructive 
engagement." However, in a February 12 meeting between 
Indonesian President Suharto and Chairman Than Shwe, no 
request was made for dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, nor 
were any other appeals issued in support of the democracy 
movement in that country.  On the contrary, discussions were 
held between President Suharto and former President Ne Win, 
the one-time dictator who is still viewed as a backer of the 
military government, with absolutely no expression made of 
any stance of "constructive engagement" in the push for 
democratization.  Under the current conditions, it is clear 
that if Myanmar were to be accepted for ASEAN membership and 
SLORC failed to organize some sort of movement to advance 
the process of transition to civilian government, 
international criticism would come to focus on the heads of 
ASEAN, who would indeed bear a heavy responsibility for this 
outcome.
	On this January 16, the Karen National Union (KNU) 
in Bangkok issued the "MaeThaRawHta Declaration" to SLORC, 
calling for trilateral talks with the ethnic minority 
organization and the National League for Democracy (NLD).  
In response to this movement, at a February 12 party 
commemorating the 50th anniversary of the republic held in 
front of her home in Yangon City, Suu Kyi voiced support for 
this declaration and proposed the trilateral conference.  
However, SLORC has made absolutely no comment on this 
matter, and rather stepped up its military offensive against 
KNU from February.  We strongly condemn the stance of SLORC 
in rebuffing KNU and making no attempt whatsoever to create 
an opportunity for dialogue, a reflection of its obstinate 
refusal to enter into compromise.  SLORC is once again 
requested to take prompt action in opening political 
dialogue toward the transition to civilian government, in 
accordance with the results of the general election of 1990.
	At the present time, in light of the general 
principles applied to Official Development Assistance (ODA), 
Japan has joined with the United States and Europe in 
freezing development assistance to Myanmar.  In view of the 
present attitude exhibited by SLORC, no progress can be seen 
in the process, with this rather appearing to consist 
primarily of efforts bent on forcing democracy into retreat.
	During his visit to the ASEAN countries this 
January, Prime Minister Hashimoto issued the following 
comments concerning the move toward ASEAN membership for 
Myanmar: "Japan gives high marks to this movement from the 
perspective that Myanmar must not be isolated from the 
international community.  Yet at the same time, it is also 
hoped that ASEAN will not act as a cover for the oppression 
taking place in Myanmar, and instead handle this membership 
issue in a means which will contribute to improving the 
conditions in that nation." The Prime Minister deserves to 
be commended for this statement.  Nevertheless, at the 12th 
regular ASEAN-EU Minister's Meeting (AEMM) convened in 
mid-February, no penetrating discussions were held to 
address the issue of democracy for Myanmar.  In view of this 
situation, we strongly request that the Japanese government 
adopt more concrete and positive diplomatic measures in the 
quest to encourage political dialogue on the part of SLORC 
and the NLD alike.

March 1997

Alliance of Diet Members Supporting Democracy for Myanmar

Yukio Hatoyama
Deputy Chairman

Yasuko Takemura
Secretary-General