07-29-2004, 01:39 PM
From intelligence online ...
<b>Burma seeks Indian help against isolation </b>
28 July 2004: Fearing tightening US and EU economic sanctions and a possible naval blockade, Myanmarâs foreign minister, U Win Aung, hoped on his India visit that India would stand by his country, but officials would not say if India has held out any assurance.
The Asia-Europe (ASEM) summit in Hanoi in October is threatened by the Myanmar military juntaâs refusal to give a deadline for the return of democracy and release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and economic sanctions imposed last year by the US and EU after Suu Kyiâs arrest could be further tightened.
U Win told the Indian side the situation was very unstable in Myanmar, with as many as twenty ethnic groups fighting the government, and that in this unstable condition, it would be perilous to consider the return of democracy, but the US and EU argue military rule is responsible for the instability, and that democracy would bring peace.
Fearing more international isolation, U Win hoped India would be able to convince the US and EU of Myanmarâs position, but India has been also pressing for return to democracy and the speedy release of Suu Kyi.
Officials said U Win assured Myanmarâs soil would not be allowed to be used at any point and under any circumstances by anti-India militant groups.
<b>Burma seeks Indian help against isolation </b>
28 July 2004: Fearing tightening US and EU economic sanctions and a possible naval blockade, Myanmarâs foreign minister, U Win Aung, hoped on his India visit that India would stand by his country, but officials would not say if India has held out any assurance.
The Asia-Europe (ASEM) summit in Hanoi in October is threatened by the Myanmar military juntaâs refusal to give a deadline for the return of democracy and release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and economic sanctions imposed last year by the US and EU after Suu Kyiâs arrest could be further tightened.
U Win told the Indian side the situation was very unstable in Myanmar, with as many as twenty ethnic groups fighting the government, and that in this unstable condition, it would be perilous to consider the return of democracy, but the US and EU argue military rule is responsible for the instability, and that democracy would bring peace.
Fearing more international isolation, U Win hoped India would be able to convince the US and EU of Myanmarâs position, but India has been also pressing for return to democracy and the speedy release of Suu Kyi.
Officials said U Win assured Myanmarâs soil would not be allowed to be used at any point and under any circumstances by anti-India militant groups.