Asean, EU meeting put off indefinit

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Asean, EU meeting put off indefinitely  

Headlines 
Asean, EU meeting put off indefinitely 

THE Asean-European Union Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Germany will be
postponed indefinitely as the European countries refuse to budge on Burma, a
high-ranking Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday. 

The Asean countries are equally adamant in their position that Burma, as
one of
its members, should be able to take part in the AEMM in Berlin next month
as it
is a block-to-block meeting, permanent secretary Saroj Chavanaviraj insisted. 

''Under the present circumstances, it is fair to say that the AEMM, which
is to
be held right after the Asian-European Meeting on March 30, will be postponed
indefinitely as there is no settlement between the Asean states and the EU
members on Burma's presence,'' Saroj said. 

Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan is presently on a European trip from which a
breakthrough on the matter is expected, he added. 

Saroj's comment came after the United Kingdom, an EU member, said it will
refuse to sit down with Burmese Foreign Minister Win Aung at the AEMM. 
As unanimity is required for Burma to attend, opposition by even one country
could force the meeting to be cancelled. Another major obstacle barring
Rangoon
from the meeting is the EU's visa ban on top Burmese officials. 
Burma has been at the heart of the controversy between the both groupings
which
meet every one-and-a-half-year to discuss inter-regional cooperation. The
country, which was admitted into Asean in 1997, has been strongly condemned by
the Europeans for its poor record on human rights and its dictatorship. 

''Burma has shown a positive approach by agreeing to discuss any topic raised
by the EU at the AEMM, ranging from human rights to democracy. Burma is also
ready to talk to the EU troika,'' Saroj said. 

In a recent letter to Foreign Minister Surin, his Burmese counterpart Win Aung
said he would welcome any topic for discussion and would brief the EU
countries
on political and economic developments in Burma. 

Germany, this year's EU president, has tried hard to convince other EU members
to relax their stance on Burma, including those who have imposed a visa ban on
senior Burmese government officials. 

It has hinted earlier that Burma might be admitted if the human rights
situation there was discussed. However, the UK's refusal to sit with Rangoon

closed the door on Berlin's attempt. 

BY MARISA CHIMPRABHA 
The Nation