Fed: Engagement with Burma shown to be mistaken: Brereton

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2000
Fed: Engagement with Burma shown to be mistaken: Brereton

The federal opposition says Australia must cancel its human rights training program
with Burma's military rulers following a damning new assessment of the regime.

A confidential cable from Australia's Ambassador to Burma, TREVOR WILSON, reportedly
says there are NO grounds for optimism in the Burmese government's unchanging approach
to opponents of the regime.

Mr WILSON says he sees NO signs of any transition to a freely elected government.

All indicators point to a regime determined to stay in power at all cost, allowing
only marginal economic and social reform.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman LAURIE BRERETON says Australia must stop running
special human rights and international law courses for Burmese government officials.

He says Burma views Australia's support as evidence it doesn't need to change and that
international criticism will gradually diminish.

AAP RTV fh/daw/nf/jn )

KEYWORD: BURMA AUST (CANBERRA)

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