Bangkok Post News (28/10/98)

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ANTI-JUNTA PROTESTERS ARRESTED IN AMERICA
28.10.98/BANGKOK POST
AFP

Washington - Thirteen activists protesting Burma's government
chained themselves to its US embassy on Monday until Secret
Service agents cut them free.

They were to spend one night in a Washington prison before facing
formal arraignment and a bail hearing in federal court yesterday
afternoon, protest organiser Zarni said.

A Secret Service spokeswoman said the 13 were arrested under a
law that prohibits interfering with or attempting to interfere
with a foreign mission.

They faced a maximum jail term of six months, she said.

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EU TO LET RANGOON JOIN JOINT SESSION UNDER CONDITIONS
28.10.98/BANGKOK POST
ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT

ENDS YEAR-LONG STANDOFF WITH ASEAN

The European Union, after a year long standoff with the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has agreed to let Burma
attend a meeting between the two groupings under special
conditions.

The Foreign Ministry said yesterday the Joint Co-operation
Committee meeting between Asean and the European Commission,
postponed since November, would be held this year.

Ministry spokesman Kobsak Chutikul cited a statement from EU
foreign ministers in Luxembourg yesterday.

Burma joined Asean in July 1997 but is yet to accede to the 1980
Asean EC cooperation agreement under which the meeting is held.
The EC is the external trade arm of the 15 strong European
grouping.

Thailand appreciated the EU's recognition of the importance of
relations with Asean that this decision reflected, the spokesman
said.

Burma also showed flexibility by offering to refrain from
speaking at the meeting if not necessary, he added.

Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan came up with the formula for the
meeting during talks between Asean and the EU in Manila last
July, according to Saroj Chavanaviraj, the permanent secretary
for foreign affairs.

The statement from Luxembourg has been interpreted as meaning the
EU sought to link. Burma's future participation to conditions in
the country.

But Mr Saroj said Thailand understood there would be no need for
further talks on the matter for subsequent JCC meetings.

The EU statement said: "It is without prejudice to Burmese
representation at future meetings held under that agreement which
will need to be decided in the light of the situation in Burma."

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