Statement from Japan Groups re Asea

[carol@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Statement from Japan Groups re Asean

Statement Regarding Asean's Decision to Admit Burma
May 31, 1997

	The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) decided in Kuala Lumpur
today to admit Burma to the regional grouping this July.  Today's decision,
while disappointing, is hardly a surprise.  Given the unrest that preceded
Indonesia's symbolic election this past week and the arrest of political
activists engaged in peaceful protest in Malaysia today, we were perhaps
naive to expect a group of mostly authoritarian leaders to respect in Burma
what they will not tolerate at home:  dissent.
	Just before Asean reached its decision in Kuala Lumpur, the mayor of New
York City signed into law a selective purchasing bill aimed at pressuring
SLORC to stop abusing human rights and to start talking with Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi.  The New York law is the latest in a growing number of punitive
actions taken by the United States and Europe against the stubborn military
regime.
	Some characterize these policy differences as "Western" and "Asian".  This
is simply propaganda. The true difference is the extent to which ordinary
people can participate in their country's foreign policy.  The sanctions
legislation adopted in the US and EU did not come from the top down; it came
from the grass roots up, and it became law in spite of efforts by the
privileged and powerful to defeat it.
	Ordinary people in Asean countries have a much tougher battle: the Thai
militiaman angered by Tatmadaw violations of his country's borders and
abuses of his Karen brethren; Malaysian youths outraged at SLORC's official
policy of persecuting their fellow Muslims; supporters of Megawati
Sukarnoputri and the DPI who identify their struggle with that of Aung San
Suu Kyi and the NLD.  They are ordinary Asians standing up for ordinary
Asians who are being abused by certain privileged and powerful Asians.  Same
old story, different setting.
	Now that commoners in the West and elites in Southeast Asia have determined
their respective countries' approach toward Burma, the world is waiting for
Japan to get off its foreign policy fence. Will Japan continue to allow big
business and bureaucratic elites to dictate foreign policy behind the
smokescreen of "Asian values"?  Or will it live up to its obligations as a
democracy to support the democratic aspirations of its Asian neighbors?
Japan's decision will affect not only the health of democracy in Burma but
also Japan.
	As for Asean, its leaders have now publicly pledged to promote democratic
reform in Burma.  Let us give them no rest until they live up to their promises.

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Burmese Relief Center  Japan/(07442) 2-8236
Joint Action Committee:
  Burma Youth Volunteer Association/(03) 3916-4996
  Democratic Burmese Students' Organization/(03) 3954-3606
  8888 Group/(03) 3807-0432
  NLD LA (Japan Branch)/(03) 5974-1981