Myanmar to attend meeting in Jakarta

Myanmar to attend meeting in Jakarta

YANGON (AFP): Myanmar's military leader Senior Gen. Than Shwe will attend the informal meeting of ASEAN heads of government to be held in Jakarta on Nov. 30, the state press reported yesterday.

A short official statement on the front page of the English language edition of the New Light of Myanmar said he would attend the meeting of ASEAN leaders at the invitation of President Soeharto of Indonesia.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam as full members, while Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have attained observer status within the grouping.

All three observer nations have applied for full membership.

Earlier this month, ASEAN secretary-general Ajit Singh visited Myanmar to observe its preparations for full membership, and described Myanmar as more ready than either Cambodia or Laos.