Hashimoto vows close watch on SLORC

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Subject: Hashimoto vows close watch on SLORC after ASEAN decision

Hashimoto vows close watch on Myanmar after ASEAN decision
Kyodo 30/5


     Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto pledged Sunday to keep a close
eye on developments in Myanmar following a decision Saturday by the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to accept Myanmar,
Cambodia and Laos as full members in July.
     ''It is ASEAN policy to invite Myanmar into the regional
grouping and not to isolate it,'' Hashimoto said.  ''Japan wants to
closely follow (developments in Myanmar) so as not to turn its ASEAN
membership into remission of the sins of the military government.''