Bkk Post-Condition set for Burma's

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Subject: Bkk Post-Condition set for Burma's participation at talks

ASEAN-EU MEETING

Condition set for Burma's participation at talks
EU urged to soften stand

Achara Ashayagachat

The European Union has set a new condition for Burma's participation in an
Asean-EU meeting that has raised fears of a second postponement of the
event, Foreign Ministry sources said yesterday.

Just a week before the 13th Asean-EU joint co-operation committee was due to
open in Bangkok on January 25, the EU proposed that Burma and Laos sit
behind a plaque that reads "new members."

The proposal came despite an agreement last October that Burma would attend
the meeting as observer, and refrain from speaking if not necessary. The
agreement also provided for the meeting to display the flags of Asean and
the EU rather than those of member states.

In November 1997, the EU called for a postponement of the meeting after
Asean insisted on Burma's participation as an observer.

Burma and Laos entered the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in July
1997, joining Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam. Neither has acceded to the Asean-EU co-operation
agreement.

"When Vietnam joined Asean in July 1995, we did not put a 'new member'
plaque on the table. So there should not be such a fuss for this significant
cooperation meeting, which should start discussing economic and development
issues," a source said.

The new condition was seen as an expression of "second thoughts" by the EU
on the question of Burma's participation in order to appease socialists in
the European Parliament currently in session.

Unless the EU softens its stand, Thailand, as host, simply could ignore the
new proposal, and follow the provisions of last October's agreement.
Ministry sources however hoped a compromise could be found "so that we can
sit down and discuss assistance programmes."

Barring a hitch, senior Asean officials are due to meet among themselves on
Sunday before joining their European counterparts on Monday and Tuesday (Jan
25-26).

Asean Affairs Department Director-General Anucha Osathanond and the European
Commission's Deputy Director of External Relations Santiago Gomez Reino are
to co-chair the joint meeting expected to touch on co-operation in trade,

economic and industrial affairs, science and technology, and forestry.

The meeting is also to consider the EU's proposal for co-operation in
narcotics suppression and environment protection, such as training
programmes for anti-narcotics officials or education scheme to promote
public awareness on the issue.

The discussions on trade will cover the minimisation of trade and non-trade
barriers as well as simplification of customs procedures, and market access.
Malaysia's foreign exchange control and Thailand's increase of wine tax are
also due to be raised.

"There will be fewer [assistance] projects, but issues of collaboration will
be real and mutually beneficial such as the recognition standards for Asean
exports," he said.

The EU has also provided know-how in natural resources management, training
in energy-related projects, haze prevention, and information technology, as
well as networking and academics.

The meeting will be an occasion for Asean members to propose new projects,
including those related to aviation and port management, sources said.

"With or without Burma, once the Asean-EU talks resume, they have to proceed
in a new manner, with a fine-tuning of the pre- and post- crisis
expectations of the two sides," said an academic who requested anonymity.

Burma remains a "noble cause" for the international community and Asean
cannot afford to defend Burma at the expense of cooperation with the EU, she
added.

"Asean's international clout has diminished since the start of the Asian
crisis, which coincided with Burma's admittance into the grouping. Asean can
no longer ask the EU to deal with them solely on their own terms," she said.