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Singapore daily says ASEAN faces to (r)
- Subject: Singapore daily says ASEAN faces to (r)
- From: ausgeo@xxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 01 May 1997 11:10:00
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.