Rebels appeal to ASEAN to delay Myanmar's entry

Rebels appeal to ASEAN to delay Myanmar's entry

BANGKOK (AP): Ethnic rebels still fighting Myanmar's military
government appealed to members of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday not to admit the Yangon regime
while it still violates human rights.

"We don't want Myanmar admitted now because of continuing
human rights violations, especially in ethnic areas, and because
the political situation is not resolved," said Ner Dah, assistant
secretary of foreign affairs for the Karen National Union.

The Karen have been fighting for autonomy from Yangon since
1949.

Earlier this week the United States urged ASEAN not to admit
Myanmar because of the military government's increased repression
against the country's democracy movement and flagrant human
rights violations.

ASEAN nations -- Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- have said they are determined
to bring Myanmar into the grouping, along with Cambodia and Laos,
in July.

Only the Philippines has voiced some reservations, saying the
group should consider delaying membership for all three.

"We know Myanmar should be a member, but it is not the right
time," said Ner Dah.

"Admitting the SLORC now is the same as encouraging them to
violate the rights of the people," he said, referring to the
State Law and Order Restoration Council, Myanmar's military
government since 1988.

A Myanmar military offensive launched in March, after
cease-fire negotiations broke down, has dealt a heavy blow to the
KNU, based along the Thai-Myanmar border.

Refugees said the Myanmar army had burned and looted homes,
committed summary executions and gang rapes and forcibly
relocated villagers - using some to carry army equipment - as it
advances through Karen territory.

More than 100,000 Karen and other refugees have fled to
Thailand because of Myanmar army abuses. Cross border attacks by
Yangon's troops and breakaway factions of Karen allied with them,
have been common.

That was one reason the Bangkok Post, in an editorial
yesterday, said Myanmar's membership of ASEAN may not serve
Thailand's interests.

"SLORC has been particularly recalcitrant and capricious on
border issues, and it could seek to exploit the good offices of
ASEAN for its claims to border territory," the editorial said.

Thailand's Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is, however, a
strong supporter of the SLORC, and favors their early entry.
Under his administration Thai troops have forcibly repatriated
refugees.