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Burma foes denounce ASEAN admission
- Subject: Burma foes denounce ASEAN admission
- From: moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 20:03:00
Subject: Burma foes denounce ASEAN admission of Rangoon
Burma foes denounce ASEAN admission of Rangoon
01:50 a.m. Jun 02, 1997 Eastern
By Sutin Wannabovorn
BANGKOK, June 2 (Reuter) - Foes of Burma's ruling military
government, including students in exile and rebel groups, on Monday
denounced ASEAN's weekend decision to admit Burma as a
member in July.
There was no statement on the issue from the beleaguered Burmese
opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) of
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which has always urged
the regional grouping to delay Rangoon's admission.
Repeated attempts to reach NLD leaders for commment by
telephone in Rangoon failed.
The NLD had cited repression by the ruling State law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC) as its reason for calling on ASEAN
not to admit Rangoon.
ASEAN groups Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Indonesia,
Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and Vietnam.
The group said Burma, along with Cambodia and Laos, would be
admitted in late July. Its decision came despite pressure from the
United States not admit Burma because of human rights concerns.
The U.S. State Department on Sunday said it regretted ASEAN's
decision on Burma but was counting on ASEAN members to urge
SLORC to enter into dialogue with local democratic forces.
The Karen National Union (KNU), which is among a handful of
ethnic rebel groups fighting SLORC for greater autonomy for the
eastern Karen state, said the ASEAN decision could derail efforts
for a peace settlement in Burma.
``We are sad and disappointed at the ASEAN decision. The
admission will strengthen the SLORC position and make them more
arrogant,'' KNU spokesman Man Hsa told Reuters.
``Before the admission the SLORC was interested in settling the
problem by political means, by negotiation. But now they will not be
interested and will concentrate on oppressing us more because they
know ASEAN supports them,'' he added.
The KNU has held several rounds of failed peace talks with
SLORC.
The exiled Burmese student group, the All Burma Students'
Democratic Front (ABSDF), and an umbrella organisation of
Burmese opposition groups, the National Council of the Union of
Burma (NCUB), also said they were disappointed with ASEAN.
``This (ASEAN decision) is a historic mistake which has legitimised a
brutal and illegal military regime,'' ABSDF said in a statement
obtained by Reuters.
``We call on ASEAN to reconsider their decision. Only after Burma
has made concrete democratic changes, starting by entering into a
formal political dialogue with the NLD and ethnic nationalities, will be
the right time to admit Burma into the regional forum,'' it added.
The Thai parliamentary house committee on foreign affairs also
voiced opposition to ASEAN's decision.
``ASEAN should have set a minimum criteria for the admission of
Burma into the organisation. At this stage ASEAN should have
decided only on the admission of Laos and Cambodia,'' said
committee spokesman Noppadol Pattama.
The Bangkok Post newspaper also expressed disapproval.
``The decision to admit Burma is repugnant to many ASEAN
citizens who resent having their governments identified with the brutal
SLORC,'' it said.
``The ASEAN seven will now face serious problems as a result of
the decision. As a trade group, they will face practical problems as a
result of the decision.'' ^REUTER@