ASEAN foresees problems with EU ove

[082903@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: ASEAN foresees problems with EU over Burma.



	ASEAN foresees problems with EU over Burma
	******************************************

(By Ian MacKenzie) 

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Reuter) - ASEAN Secretary-General Ajit Singh said 
on Friday some
problems had to be worked out with the European Union and the United 
States after Burma's
admission to the nine-nation group. 

``There are some technicalities we need to look at,'' Singh told a news 
conference, referring
specifically to a cooperation agreement between the EU and the 
Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN). 

``The European Union has made it known it would not be ready yet to see 
Myanmar (Burma)
accede to that... It is an issue we will need to address in the near 
future,'' he said. 

Asked if there were any other countries in a similar situation, Singh 
specifically mentioned the United
States and Canada. 

``I think the U.S. and Canada also have some problem about Myanmar, and 
that, too, we will have
to start discussing with them,'' he said. 

He said the problem with the United States included the issuing of visas 
for visiting Burmese officials.
He did not specify Canada's problem. 

Western nations have criticised Burma's admission because of its record 
on human rights and
democracy. 

ASEAN and 11 other Western and Asian nations -- including European states 
represented as a
group by the European Union -- meet on Sunday under the umbrella of the 
ASEAN Regional
Forum (ARF) security grouping. 

This will be followed on Monday by meetings between ASEAN members and 
their seven so-called
dialogue partners, who are also members of the ARF. 

ASEAN includes Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, the 
Philippines, Vietnam, Burma
and Laos. 

The British High Commissioner to Malaysia, David Moss, did not attend a 
flag-raising ceremony
marking the induction of Burma and Laos on Tuesday, although a British 
diplomat did attend, as did
the U.S. ambassador in Kuala Lumpur. 

Asked about the British boycott, Singh said: ``If the British ambassador 
chose to stay away from the
reception, that if his prerogative, but I don't think that will affect 
EU-ASEAN relations.'' 

The EU and U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, whose country had 
imposed economic
sanctions on Burma, are expected to press other ASEAN states to use their 
influence on the military 

(Reuter, 25 July 1997)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

        News and Information Dept.
        All Burma Students'Democratic Organisation (ABSDO) [Australia]
        Tel/Fax: 61+03+98132613

--------------------------------------------------------------------------