U.S./BURAMA/ASEAN

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=5/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232708
TITLE=U-S / BURMA / ASEAN / L-O
BYLINE=RUTH YOUNGBLOOD
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A TOP UNITED STATES OFFICIAL HAS URGED BURMA'S MILITARY 
GOVERNMENT TO INITIATE DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION.  AS RUTH 
YOUNGBLOOD REPORTS FROM  MANILA,  ASEAN -- THE ASSOCIATION OF 
SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS -- WANTS WASHINGTON TO LIFT SANCTIONS 
AGAINST THE COUNTRY.

TEXT:  DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 
AURELIA BRAZEAL SAID SUNDAY THE ONLY WAY WASHINGTON'S 
LONG-STANDING TRADE EMBARGO WILL BE LIFTED IS THROUGH  POLICY 
CHANGES BY BURMA'S MILITARY DICTATORSHIP.  AT THE CONCLUSION OF A
TWO-DAY MEETING IN MANILA BETWEEN ASEAN AND THE UNITED STATES, 
THE REGIONAL GROUPING SOUGHT THE REMOVAL OF WHAT IT CALLS 
DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES AGAINST ITS  MOST-CONTROVERSIAL  MEMBER.

MS. BRAZEAL SAYS THE SANCTIONS ARE AIMED AT ENCOURAGING CHANGES. 
SPECIFICALLY, SAYS THE UNITED STATES WANTS BURMA TO INITIATE 
DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION -- INCLUDING NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 
WINNER AUNG SAN SUU  KYI.  

ASEAN ADMITTED BURMA LAST JULY, DESPITE STRONG OPPOSITION FROM 
THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE, WHICH QUESTIONED THE HUMAN RIGHTS 
RECORD OF THE RULING MILITARY JUNTA.  AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S  
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY WON BURMA'S FIRST FREE, MULTIPARTY 
ELECTIONS IN 1990.  THE RESULTS WAS WERE REJECTED BY THE 
MILITARY.

MS. BRAZEAL INSISTS BURMA REMAINS A POTENTIALLY-DESTABILIZIING 
FACTOR FOR THE NINE-MEMBER ASEAN GROUPING.  HOWEVER, ASEAN SAYS 
ITS POLICY OF CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT WILL IMPROVE  CONDITIONS IN
BURMA THROUGH QUIET DIPLOMACY AND ECONOMIC CONTACT.  

MALAYSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL ABDUL KADIR MOHAMAD 
BLAMES THE DRASTIC DECLINE IN DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION BETWEEN 
ASEAN AND THE UNITED STATES PARTIALLY ON THE  SANCTIONS AGAINST 
BURMA.  HE SAYS REMOVING THEM WOULD ENHANCE TRADE AND ECONOMIC 
RELATIONS  AND RAISE COOPERATION TO NEW HEIGHTS.

ASEAN GROUPS BRUNEI, INDONESIA, LAOS, MALAYSIA, THE PHILIPPINES, 
SINGAPORE,  THAILAND, VIETNAM AND BURMA.  (SIGNED).

NEB / WD / WD



24-May-98 4:19 AM EDT (0819 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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