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Ramos visit cements new Asean ties
South China Morning Post
Thursday October 16 1997
Ramos visit cements new Asean ties
AGENCIES in Rangoon
Philippine President Fidel Ramos began a two-day landmark visit yesterday, the
first by an Asean head of state to the country since its controversial entry
into the regional grouping.
Mr Ramos was welcomed at the airport by General Than Shwe - Prime Minister and
chairman of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council, which seized
power in 1988 - and the Rangoon-based diplomatic corps.
He received a 21-gun salute and was cheered by hundreds of uniformed school
children waving flags along the road to a state guesthouse, a kilometre from
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's residence.
Mr Ramos had earlier intimated he would seek to meet Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, in
what would be an unprecedented encounter between a foreign head of state and
Burma's most prominent opposition figure. However, it is unlikely such a
meeting will take place.
The Prime Minister told Mr Ramos there would be a peaceful transfer of power
to an elected government once drafting of a new constitution had been
completed.
Philippine foreign under-secretary Rodolfo Severino, who attended the leader's
talks, said the statement was a reference to power sharing between Rangoon and
ethnic minorities.
Mr Ramos was accompanied on his trip by foreign and health ministry officials.
Two bilateral agreements and two memorandums of understanding, covering drugs
control and economic and trade co-operation, were signed.
Philippine businesses have invested US$6.67 million (HK$51.56 million) in
Burma since it opened up its economy at the end of 1988, making the
Philippines the 18th-largest source of foreign investment in the military
state.
Burmese official media hailed the visit as "auspicious". It is the first by an
Association of Southeast Asian Nations head of state since Burma's admission
in July.
"It is our understanding that President Ramos desires broader and deeper
co-operation among the Asean countries, which naturally means further
bilateral and multilateral accomplishments," an editorial in the official
daily New Light of Myanmar said.
"The warmth of Asean brotherhood will play an increasingly crucial role and
pave the way for greater co-prosperity."
Burma's entry into Asean was opposed by Western nations critical of the
junta's human rights record and suppression of democracy, but the grouping
said it favoured "constructive engagement".
Meanwhile, a delegation representing the Washington-based Burma Forum met Ms
Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday, informed sources said.