KL urges U.S. to open normal trade ties with all of ASEAN

KL urges U.S. to open normal trade ties with all of ASEAN

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia on Wednesday urged the U.S. to
open normal trade ties with all 10 members of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to help boost the region's
economic development.

ASEAN countries were eager for enhanced economic relations
with the U.S., which is one of the region's biggest trading and
investment partners, said Abdul Kadir Mohamed, the secretary-
general of Malaysia's Foreign Ministry.

However, he pointed out that despite long-standing ties
between ASEAN and the U.S., which meets annually for talks,
Washington continued to maintain differing levels of trade ties
with ASEAN members.

"Malaysia wishes to highlight once again the absence of
development cooperation programs in the U.S.-ASEAN dialogue
relations, and the fact that the U.S. still does not have normal
trade relations with some ASEAN countries," he said.

"ASEAN would like to reiterate its call on the U.S. to review
its policy in this regard," he was quoted as saying by state-run
Bernama national news agency.

Abdul Kadir was speaking at the opening of a two-day meeting
between government and business officials from ASEAN and the U.S.
in the Malaysian capital.

About 100 participants are attending the meeting, which
focuses mainly on trade and economic relations. Abdul Kadir is
heading the talks on behalf of ASEAN, while the U.S. is
represented by Ralph Boyce, the deputy assistant secretary of
state for East Asia and Pacific affairs.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam.

Although Abdul Kadir did not name any country, ASEAN officials
said he was referring to military-ruled Myanmar, whose membership
in ASEAN in 1997 was frowned upon by Washington.

The U.S., which accuses Myanmar of human rights violations and
suppressing democracy, has slapped economic sanctions and an arms
embargo against Yangon (Rangoon) as well as barred new
investments there by American firms.

ASEAN's steadfast defense of Myanmar's membership has also
caused problems with its relations with the European Union, which
has barred Myanmar officials from attending meetings in Europe
and has also imposed sanctions on Yangon until its adopts
democratic reforms.