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US Group Backs Malaysian Stand on B



Subject: US Group Backs Malaysian Stand on Burma

The Star
Sunday, June 29, 1997

US group backs Asean stand on Myanmar

KUALA LUMPUR: A US think tank has supported Asean's decision to admit
Myanmar into the regional grouping so that the nation could be nudged
towards democracy.

Heritage Foundation, a leading US research foundation, agreed with
Asean's method of "constructive engagement" rather than the US decision
to isolate Myanmar until it improved its human rights record.

"We hope that the influences and contacts of Asean countries would
encourage Myanmar to move towards democracy," said Edwin Mees, a former
US Attorney-General who sits on the foundation's board of trustees, here
yesterday.

Mees brushed aside the notion that Asean's decision in admitting Myanmar
would hurt its relationship with the United States.

"I don't think that differences in approach will in any way affect our
relationship as the objective of both governments is quite the same," he
said. ? Bernama