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Straits Times - Myanmar 'in the way



Subject: Straits Times - Myanmar 'in the way' of economic ties 

JUL 28 1999

Myanmar 'in the way' of economic ties

EUROPEAN UNION
ASEAN'S plans for joint-investment roadshows to Europe may be in jeopardy --
unless the European Union (EU), in a scheduled September review of Myanmar's
progress on human rights, changes its position towards Yangon.

The roadshows, a proposal by Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, would
see delegations comprising representatives from all 10 Asean members sent
abroad to draw investment and capital in to South-east Asia.

EU Council president Tarja Halonen said yesterday the grouping welcomed
economic relations with Asean, but might balk at the economic forays if
Myanmar was part of the delegations.

As acting European Commission president Manuel Marin also put it, all other
Asean members were welcome except Myanmar because it was "a problem".

Under EU restrictions imposed to punish Myanmar for alleged human-rights
violations and its human-rights record, Yangon officials faced a visa ban
effectively preventing them from visiting any European country.

When the sanctions were applied earlier this year, Asean protested, and a
planned meeting of EU and Asean foreign ministers in Berlin was cancelled.

But Ms Halonen said the Myanmar issue would be discussed by the EU General
Affairs Council in September. During closed-door meetings yesterday, Myanmar
Foreign Minister U Win Aung, in remarks which appeared to be directed at the
EU, criticised Asean's dialogue partners which used the meetings as a forum
to "interfere with the internal affairs of the member countries".

More work needed


Dispute over Myanmar's human-rights record

Resumption of talks between Asean and EU foreign ministers

Concerns over on-going violence and intimidation ahead of the August ballot
on independence or autonomy in East Timor
Points of agreement


Both sides agree to work towards the resumption of suspended Asean-EU
ministerial talks

EU pledge to keep markets open to help alleviate Asian crisis

Asean to continue with economic reforms