"ASEAN hopes for changes in Burma"

[south@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Reply-To: south@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (SAFHR KATHMANDU)

The Rising Nepal, Kathmandu, July 17, 1997

"ASEAN hopes for changes in Burma"

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 16 (AP): The Association of South East Asian
Nations hopes for changes in Burma after it joins  the trade bloc,
Malaysia's foreign minister said.

ASEAN could not deny that many unfavorable developments had occured in
Burma since the regional group decided May 31 to accept that country as  a
member, Foreing Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told Parliament.

The United States and other Western countries have pressed for isolating
Burma because of repression of the democracy movement led by Nobel Peace
Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Burma's South East Asian neighbours,
however, have insisted that they would have more influence over it if it
joins ASEAN .

Abdullah said that although it was not ASEAN's policy to interfere in the
internal affairs and politics of any country, the group had clearly
conveyed its feeling over what is happening in Burma.