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Japan-Malaysia-Burma : Sanctions ag
- Subject: Japan-Malaysia-Burma : Sanctions ag
- From: moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 19:55:00
Subject: Japan-Malaysia-Burma : Sanctions against Burma hurt the wrong people: Mahathir
Japan-Malaysia-Burma : Sanctions against Burma hurt
the wrong people: Mahathir
TOKYO, March 27 (AFP) - Malaysian Prime Minister
Mahathir
Mohamad said Thursday that imposing sanctions on
Burma would
only hurt those such action intended to help.
Mahathir told a news conference that he was
opposed to
economic sanctions against because such action
would be
"twisting the wrong arm."
"It is not leaders who will suffer, but it is
people," he said.
The Malaysian premier, who is here on an
official visit, said the
world community must remove fears that the
Burmese military
junta may have about introducing democracy and
commercial
economy.
"We have to assure them if they accept
democracy, they will not
be victimised," he said.
Mahathir reiterated his support for Burma's full
membership of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
despite western
concerns.
He said he was aware that "people outside Asia
have reservation"
about Burma's ASEAN membership, and Rangoon's
human rights
record is "not good."
But he stressed that by inviting Burma into the
ASEAN,
neighbouring countries would be able to
influence it to accept the
democratic system and a market economy.
"We would like to get close to Myanmar (Burma),"
he said.
Mahathir later said he disagreed with concerns
about China's
possible military expansion, saying that
Beijing's military spending
was growing only because the country was
becoming more
prosperous.
"As it gets bigger and richer, a smaller
percentage can be
substantial," he said. "China will not foolishly
go on a war of
aggression."