TODAY'S VOA NEWS :ALBRIGHT-BURMA

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=7/28/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-217737
TITLE=ALBRIGHT-BURMA / DRUGS (S)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=KUALA LUMPUR
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IN MALAYSIA, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS 
ISSUED  A NEW ATTACK ON BURMA'S MILITARY LEADERS FOR WHAT SHE 
SAYS IS THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE DRUG TRADE.  RON PEMSTEIN 
REPORTS FROM KUALA LUMPUR.

TEXT:  FOR THE SECOND DAY RUNNING, SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT 
HAS ACCUSED ASEAN'S NEW MEMBER, BURMA, OF BEING RUN BY DRUG 
TRAFFICKERS.  IN HER STATEMENT TO ASEAN'S POST-MINISTERIAL 
CONFERENCE, THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAID NARCOTICS DEALERS ARE 
LEADING LIGHTS IN BURMA'S MARKET ECONOMY AND LEADING POLITICAL 
FIGURES.

IN ASEAN'S REGIONAL FORUM SUNDAY, THE AMERICAN SECRETARY OF STATE
GAVE A VIGOROUS REBUTTAL TO THE BURMESE FOREIGN MINISTER'S 
PRESENTATION -- SAYING HIS GOVERNMENT PROFITS FROM THE DRUG 
TRADE.

BY CONTRAST, MS. ALBRIGHT PRAISES THE EFFORTS OF ASEAN MEMBERS 
THAILAND AND LAOS TO REDUCE OPIUM AND HEROIN PRODUCTION.

IN HER STATEMENT FOCUSSING ON ECONOMIC ISSUES, SECRETARY OF STATE
ALBRIGHT ASKED ASEAN TO LIBERALIZE FINANCIAL SERVICES TO ALLOCATE
CAPITAL MORE EFFICIENTLY.  MALAYSIA'S PRIME MINISTER HAS ACCUSED 
AMERICAN FINANCIER GEORGE SOROS OF MANIPULATING CURRENCY VALUES 
IN SOUTHEAST ASIA TO PUNISH ASEAN FOR ADMITTING BURMA AS A 
MEMBER.  (SIGNED) 

NEB / WD / WD