U.S. URGES ASEAN TO DROP BURMA AS A

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: U.S. URGES ASEAN TO DROP BURMA AS A MEMBER

DATE=4/25/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-213447
TITLE=U.S. / BURMA (S/L)
BYLINE=VICTOR BEATTIE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES URGES THE SEVEN-NATION ASSOCIATION OF 
SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS, ASEAN, TO DROP ITS PROPOSAL TO ADMIT 
BURMA TO THE GROUP WHICH PROMOTES ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL 
COOPERATION.  V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS AN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT
ACKNOWLEDGES IN AN INTERVIEW THAT AN ASEAN WITH BURMA AS A MEMBER
WOULD BE AWKWARD:

TEXT:  U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE 
UNITED STATES HAS VERY STRONG CONCERNS ABOUT THE PENDING 
MEMBERSHIP OF BURMA WHICH, ALONG WITH CAMBODIA AND LAOS, IS 
EXPECTED TO ATTAIN MEMBER STATUS LATER THIS YEAR:

                      // BURNS ACTUALITY //

         WE HAVE  NO  OBJECTIONS TO LAOS AND CAMBODIA.  WE HAVE 
         AN OBJECTION TO BURMA.  WE DON'T BELIEVE ASEAN SHOULD 
         TAKE THIS STEP.  BURMA'S HUMAN RIGHTS PERFORMANCE IS SO 
         WOEFUL AND IRRESPONSIBLE THAT SURELY IT SHOULD  NOT  BE 
         TREATED AS A NORMAL COUNTRY AND SHOULD  NOT  BE REWARDED
         BY MEMBERSHIP IN ONE OF THE MOST PRESIGIOUS AND 
         IMPORTANT PAN-ASIAN ORGANIZATIONS.

                       // END ACTUALITY //

MR. BURNS SAYS WASHINGTON IS USING ITS INFLUENCE WITH ITS ASEAN 
PARTNERS TO MAKE THE POINT THAT BURMA SHOULD BE GIVEN A STIFF 
MESSAGE THAT IT IS  NOT  WELCOME.

THE DECISION FOLLOWS WASHINGTON'S DECISION THIS PAST WEEK TO BAN 
NEW U-S INVESTMENT IN BURMA AS A RESPONSE TO THE MILITARY 
REGIME'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD.  THE UNITED STATES HAD ALREADY 
HALTED DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ALTHOUGH EXISTING PRIVATE 
AMERICAN INVESTMENT CONTINUES.  THERE IS LITTLE INDICATION OTHER 
COUNTRIES WILL FOLLOW SUIT.

IN AN INTERVIEW (THURSDAY), U-S CHARGE D'AFFAIRES IN RANGOON, 
KENT WIEDEMANN SAYS BURMA'S MEMBERSHIP WOULD MAKE U-S ASSOCIATION
WITH ASEAN AWKWARD.  HOWEVER, HE SAID THE DECISION IS ASEAN'S TO 
MAKE.

// OPT //  BURMESE DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI IS PLEASED 
WITH THE TOUGHENED U-S SANCTIONS.  HER NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR 
DEMOCRACY WAS POISED TO WIN 1990 ELECTIONS, A RESULT  NOT  
RECOGNIZED BY THE RULING STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION COUNCIL,
OR SLORC.  

// OPT // THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE SAYS HER PARTY IS  NOT  
ANTI-ASEAN.  IN FACT, SHE WELCOMES RANGOON'S MEMBERSHIP IN 
REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, BUT AT WHAT SHE CALLS THE RIGHT TIME.  //
END OPT // (SIGNED)

NEB/VIC/CF