SCMP-EU reverses Rangoon talks snub

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South China Morning Post
Wednesday, July 28, 1999
ASEAN

EU reverses Rangoon talks snub
BARRY PORTER in Singapore

Asean's stalemate with the European Union over Burma was broken yesterday
when foreign ministers from both sides sat at a negotiating table with
Rangoon present for the first time.
Tarja Halonen, president of the Council of the EU, expressed hope the
meeting would be the first step towards a more "sustainable" relationship
with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

But she stressed a lot depended on the Burmese military junta's future
behaviour.

Ms Halonen, Finland's Foreign Minister, said: "The EU continues to be
concerned about the situation in Burma.
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"It is the wish of the EU to start a meaningful political dialogue with
Burma, but it is up to the Burmese authorities to show progress and
willingness to deal with the issues of human rights and democratic
development.

"A good start would be to respect the 1990 elections and resume a dialogue
with the democratic opposition."

She revealed the EU would discuss its sanctions against Burma in September,
including Europe's ban on issuing visas to leaders of the junta. This has
prevented Burma from participating in previous Asean-EU talks in Europe. A
decision would be made in October.

In separate bilateral talks with Burmese Foreign Minister Win Aung, Ms
Halonen stressed the importance of Rangoon welcoming the United Nations
special envoy, allowing a free press and co-operating with non-government
organisations.

On Monday, Burma announced its decision to allow an emissary of UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan to visit the country in September.

Mr Annan, acting on a UN resolution asking him to help find a means to
improve the political and human rights situation in Burma, had proposed
dispatching Alvaro de Soto, UN assistant secretary-general for political
affairs, along with a World Bank official to meet with junta leaders.

Burma had previously stalled on allowing UN representatives into the country
because of fears they might meet pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who
has been calling for tougher international measures and sanctions against
the junta.


Ms Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, won the 1990
general election, but the result was never recognised by the military.

While acknowledging the international community's message, Mr Win Aung
insisted yesterday Burmese leaders would not be bullied or bribed into
change.

Commenting on reports that a de Soto mission would seek to entice the junta
to engage in a dialogue with Ms Aung San Suu Kyi's party in exchange for
World Bank funds, Mr Win Aung said: "We are not monkeys to give money or
bananas to."

He said Burma valued Asean dialogue relations "and we are endeavouring to
build bridges of understanding and co-operation with our dialogue partners".

United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright also yesterday raised
Burmese poor human rights record during talks in Singapore.