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Myanmar News Release(9/14)



                         Myanmar News Release
               (Embassy of the Union of Myanmar, Ottawa)
Vol.9                    July  29,  1997                      No.14



	It is regrettable that the Canadian Foreign Minister Mr. Lloyd Axworthy
has stated (Ottawa Citizen dated July 29, 1997) his intention to
recommend economic measures against the Union of Myanmar for reasons
mainly related to the internal political situation of the country.
	His failure to obtain a definitive timetable for political changes from
his Myanmar counterpart simply means that the Government of the Union of
Myanmar clearly intends to draw up its own agenda and timetable for the
kind of political change that it has committed itself to carry out all
along.
	The allegation that no dialogue has been taking place between
politicians and the government fails to take note of the recent cordial
meeting between the Secretary (1) of the State Law and Order Restoration
Council, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt and Chairman of the National League for
Democracy U Aung Shwe. (Myanmar News Release No.13 of Myanmar Embassy,
Ottawa,  dated 25 July 1997).
	The Canadian action, if it is implemented, will leave no choice to the
Union of Myanmar but to resist any foreign. especially extraregional,
interference in her internal political affairs to the best of her
ability.
	However, Mr. Axworthy's intention to provide Canadian assistance to the
UNDCP (anti-narcotics) effort in Myanmar is a positive one that should
benefit all those concerned in this matter of great international
importance.
	So far, the allegations that the Myanmar government is benefiting from
the drug trade remains unsubstantiated and is being vigorously denied by
the government, and recently by some authoritative personnel of the
United State's drug enforcement agency as well.

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