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US SAID RESISTING TOKYO'S ODA FOR BURMA

SOURCE:  Tokyo Mainichi Shimbun in Japanese 12 JAN 98 
         Morning Edition; page 2

By Kaori Onaka

The Japanese government is puzzled about the resumption
of its Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to Burma,
which is shaken by a movement toward democratization.
Obtaining membership in ASEAN, Burma returned to the 
international area last July.  However, its comeback has
invited US resistance.  While the ASEAN side expects that
Japan's ODA to Burma will resume, the United States is 
indicating opposition to the ODA extension.
In this way, Japan is "sandwiched between Asia and the 
United States."

Since the inauguration of a military government in 1988,
Japan's ODA to Burma has been virtually suspended except
humanitarian aid.  Japan has taken the unprecedented stand
of extending economic cooperation in an effort to encourage
the Burmese government to democratize the nation.  Therefore,
Japan's position is different from the United States' 
policy of isolating Burma.

Last June, prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto sent Hiroshi
Hirabayashi, director of the cabinet councilors' office on 
external affairs, to Burma.  In a personal letter to Than
Shwe, Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council,
prime minister Hashimoto said:  "If your nation, through 
dialogue and reconciliation with the people, steadily
promotes work to frame a constitution that is truly legitimate
 . . .. if such a tendency becomes apparent, it would become
possible for us to resume our cooperation even in a project
to promote the safety of the Rangoon International Airport."
The letter indicated the prime minister's intention of scoring 
diplomatic points by making the Burmese counterpart
make forward-looking remarks towards democratization.

Behind the ASEAN giving membership to Burma is ASEAN members'
intention to hold in check China's possible enhancement of its
influence over Burma because there is concern over China's 
presence.  Nevertheless, because of financial crises in 
ASEAN members, it is difficult for ASEAN to provide economic
assistance, and therefore Japan is the only nation that ASEAN
considers to be capable of extending economic aid.

However, US Secretary of State Albright, in a meeting with
foreign minister Keizo Obuchi, held in check Japan's move
towards resuming aid.  Following this, prime minister 
Hashimoto has turned to take a cautious attitude.  At an
informal ASEAN meeting in Malaysia last December, "the Japanese
prime minister side rejected Burma's strong request for 
bilateral talks on the grounds that there is not enough
time," according to a foreign ministry source.

As for the government's stance, there is a view that the
government "just wants to find an excuse for resuming 
the ODA," as stated by an opposition party member. 




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