Australia and America attack Burma

[082903@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Australia and America attack Burma over human rights


	AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA ATTACK BURMA OVER HUMAN RIGHTS.
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          Australia and the United States have attacked Burma over its
          human rights record, and called on south-east Asia to push
          the military regime for change. 

          Graeme Dobell reports that the criticisms were aimed at
          Burma during a day of Asia/Pacific security talks involving
          21 foreign ministers. 

          The US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, was the
          strongest critic, describing Burma's Government as the only
          one in Asia which protects and profits from the drug trade.
          Mrs Albright said Burma had joined ASEAN, but it was
          outside Asia's mainstream. She warned of the danger of a
          giant split in ASEAN, saying the Association had to work
          for fundamental change in Burma. Australia's Foreign
          Minister, Alexander Downer, said he'll send a special envoy
          to Burma to push for change now, not in a decade's time.
          But the meeting chairman, Malaysia's Abdullah Badawi,
          said the forum had welcomed ASEAN constructive
          engagement with Burma., 

	(ABC News, 28 July 1997)

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

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