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ASEAN MUST FULFILL PLEDGE TO BURMA



PRESS RELEASE
15 October 1997 

                                    
                   ASEAN MUST FULFILL PLEDGE TO BURMA
                  *********************************** 


With the visit of Philippine President Fidel Ramos to Burma today,
the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) is calling on
ASEAN to fulfill its pledge to bring positive political change to
Burma.

ABSDF spokesperson Aung Naing Oo says ASEAN is planning to ask the
United Nations to take the lead in attempting to resolve the
political situation in Cambodia.

"While it's encouraging to see ASEAN becoming more directly
involved in the region, it is surprising to see ASEAN pay more
attention to the internal problems in Cambodia, which is not a
member of the group, than the ongoing problems in its new member,
Burma."

Since Burma's admission into the group in July, ASEAN has placed
itself in an excellent position to push for political change in the
country through a dialogue between the SLORC and the democratic
opposition.

"ASEAN should now be using its influence to convince the SLORC of
the need for political reform and the immediate start of a
meaningful dialogue with the democratic opposition lead by Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi."

President Fidel Ramos is the first ASEAN head of state to visit
Burma since the country was admitted to ASEAN. Since Burma's
admission, there has been no progress towards a dialogue or
resolving other political, social and economic problems. Widespread
human rights violations and forced relocations continue to occur
throughout the country and serious concerns remain regarding the
health and status of political prisoners.

Although the SLORC allowed the recent NLD party congress to go
ahead, there were restrictions placed on the meeting and a number
of NLD delegates were barred from the gathering. In addition,
SLORC's attempt at talks with senior NLD members without the
participation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi shows SLORC's complete
insincerity towards a formal dialogue with the democratic
opposition.


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