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                        DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY

Media Statement

       By Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for
Tanjong, Lim Kit Siang, in Petaling Jaya on Monday, August 25, 1997:

ASEAN governments should convey their concern to SLORC leaders at the
deteriorating human rights situation in Burma after admission into ASEAN
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After defying regional and international opinion opposing the admission of
Burma into ASEAN until there is tangible success or progress  in the ASEAN
"constructive engagement" policy  to foster democratisation and national
reconciliation, ASEAN governments and leaders have a moral, regional and
international responsibility to ensure that the Burmese military junta does
not embark on new repressive measures against the people of Burma.

This is why ASEAN governments should act firmly to  convey their concerns
and displeasure  to SLORC leaders at the deteriorating human rights
situation in Burma after the country?s admission into ASEAN.

The recent jailing of four Opposition figures in Burma, three of whom are
relatives of Burmese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, to 10
years jail each for breaching the country?s Unlawful Associations Act after
closed trials  is completely unacceptable and ASEAN leaders must make  clear
their disapproval that this is also an unacceptable norm and conduct under
the "Asian Values" interpretation of human rights and democracy.

ASEAN nations should also express support to Japanese Government efforts
demanding that SLORC establish political dialogue with Aung San Suu kyi and
the National League for Democracy to pave the way for the return of
constitutional government in Burma.

Now that ASEAN has admitted Burma into the regional organisation, ASEAN
leaders must make SLORC leaders understand that they expect distinct
improvements in democratisation and national reconciliation by the time of
the ASEAN Leaders Summit in Malaysia at the end of the year ? so that ASEAN
can show the world that the admission of Burma has not led to the
deterioration of the situation of democracy and human rights in the country
but the reverse.

                                                            Lim Kit Siang