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Bkk Post - US will make Burma major



Subject: Bkk Post - US will make Burma major topic at regional security

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Bangkok Post-Julyu 26, 1999.
US will make Burma major topic at regional security meeting
Thailand urged to play active ARF role

Achara Ashayagachat
SINGAPORE

Burma's failure to introduce democracy will be one of the United States'
main topics during talks today with Asean members and other countries in the
Asean security forum.

While acknowledging Asean's policy of not criticising each other, US
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said yesterday she would point out to
Asean that it was important to be frank about the situation in Burma.

"I would call attention to members of the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) on
Burma's failure to move towards democracy.

"It is essential that the issue be discussed here and we should realise
Burma's situation has posed a threat and affected the stability in the
region," Ms Albright told a press conference.

It was essential for authorities in Rangoon to talk with opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party, she added.

In talks with Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan she also said the issue would
be raised today, ministry spokesman Don Pramudwinai said.

Dialogue with Burma has already started with the latest move made by the
European Union during a recent visit to Rangoon.

Mr Surin told Ms Albright, "We think no one will deny the discussion on the
matter. The Burmese themselves seem to be ready to listen to others," Mr Don
said.

Ms Albright agreed that Asean had to play an active role and hoped that
Thailand, as incoming Asean chairman, would be very active in moving forward
the ARF process, he said.

The Australian and New Zealand foreign ministers, Alexander Downer and Don
McKinnon, expressed the same tone in their bilateral meetings with Mr Surin.

They said they hoped the ARF would become a more dynamic security forum by
moving from confidence-building measures to preventative diplomacy.

Matters to be raised at the ARF meeting include increasing tensions in the
Korean peninsula, Taiwan, the South China Sea and other transnational
issues.

Ms Albright reaffirmed the US stance urging all parties with conflicting
claims in the South China Sea to exercise restraint, restore confidence and
work towards a peaceful resolution.

Singapore is in the process of drafting a concept paper defining
preventative diplomacy for discussion at an ARF working group in Bangkok in
October.

A regional code of conduct for the South China Sea drafted by the
Philippines is also due to be considered.