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U.S./BURAMA/ASEAN
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
.