Rule out a delay to Burma's entry i

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Subject: Rule out a delay to Burma's entry into ASEAN.


		ALATAS RULES OUT DELAY TO BURMA'S ASEAN MEMBERSHIP
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	     		Wednesday 28 May, 1997 (4:58pm AEST)



          Indonesian Foreign Minister, Ali Alatas, has ruled out a delay
          to Burma's entry into ASEAN because of human rights
          concerns.

          Burma is expected to join the ASEAN with Cambodia and
          Laos later this year, but human rights abuses by the military
          government has prompted calls for its membership to be
          delayed.

          Mr Alitas says a country's internal situation is not a criteria of
          membership.

          Japan has issued the latest appeal for a delay with Prime
          Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto warning that Burma's
          membership could be interpreted support for the military
          regime.

          In Rangoon, hundreds of riot police have barred access to a
          planned party congress at the home of opposition leader,
          Aung San Suu Kyi.

          The congress was to mark the seventh anniversary of the
          opposition's landslide election victory, which has NOT been
          recognised by the military.

	[ABC News, 29 May 97].

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