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Singapore daily says ASEAN faces to (r)



Subject: Singapore daily says ASEAN faces tough decision over Burma's admission

Singapore daily says ASEAN faces tough decision over Burma's admission

SINGAPORE, April 30 (AFP) - ASEAN faces a tough decision over the admission of 
Burma, but what will finally tilt the balance is the grouping's determination 
not to be dictated to by the West, Singapore's leading newspaper said 
Wednesday.

"Myanmar's admission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a 
delicate issue for the grouping," commented The Straits Times, which often 
reflects official thinking.

Myanmar is the official name of army-ruled Burma, condemned by the United 
States and Western Europe for widespread human rights abuses.

Washington, which slapped a ban on US investments in Burma last week, is 
trying to persuade ASEAN to turn down the nation's bid to join the 
organisation over its "woeful" human rights performance.

In an editorial, the Straits Times said ASEAN 's policy of "constructive 
engagement" towards Burma and the effectiveness of American sanctions was not 
in question.

"The real question is whether the world is ready for an ASEAN with Myanmar as 
a member," the newspaper said.

"It has arisen because of the the hardline positions against Myanmar taken by 
the United States and Western Europe.

"The delicacy of the issue stems not least from ASEAN's adherence to the 
principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

"Against that must be weighed the likelihood of European and American refusal 
to get any closer to any grouping that has Myanmar as one of its members."

ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand 
and Vietnam. Awaiting simultaneous admission are Burma, Cambodia and Laos.

ASEAN foreign ministers are due to meet in May to discuss the timing of the 
admittance, expected to be in July or September, which would realise the 
group's ambition for a 10-nation ASEAN in its 30th anniversary year. 

The Straits Times editorial set out arguments both for and against Burma's 
admission, then added: "In the end, what will tilt the balance of arguments is 
ASEAN's determination not to be dictated by the West."

"However, it does not need to be said that the ruling State Law and Order 
Restoration Council's actions against its opponents have not made matters any 
easier for ASEAN," the daily said.

"While ASEAN has no desire to dictate the pace of political change there, 
there was hope that political and social accommodation in Myanmar would follow 
from the grouping's accommodating attitude towards it, an attitude which 
carries a political cost.

"The absence of reciprocity thus far is regrettable," it said.