Pak. for getting closer to Myanmar

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, MAY 3. The Pakistani Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, believes the uniformed regimes in Islamabad and Yangon have much in common.

Gen. Musharraf, who became the first non-ASEAN leader to visit Myanmar since the 1988 military takeover, said: ``The fact that the two of us are of a uniform culture means that there's a certain bond between each other.''

For its part, the Myanmar regime rolled out the red carpet for the Pakistani military leader, with the junta chief, Senior- General Than Shwe, going to receive Gen. Musharraf at the Yangon airport.

``Pakistan certainly wishes to get closer to Myanmar,'' Gen. Musharraf was quoted as telling reporters. ``The future looks very bright.''

The General said the two countries would develop new trade and commercial links. At present, two-way trade totals a paltry $ 20 millions. ``We have to have better future relations in trade and commerce.... that's why I brought a team with members who could focus on the issue of economic relationship,'' he said.

Gen. Musharraf's visit comes at a time when India- Myanmar relationship has taken off both in the economic and political fields. The February visit by the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, marked an important milestone in bilateral relations.

It is well-known that the Chinese and the Pakistanis have an excellent understanding.

The official press in Myanmar has also prominently written about the military backgrounds of India's eastern and western neighbours. ``Both General Musharraf and Senior-General Than Shwe are soldier-statesmen in their own right, having weathered similar storms and having been given the helmsmenship of State under similar circumstances,'' the New Light of Myanmar wrote.

``The two leaders....are dedicated soldiers hoisted by the needs of history into the arena of national politics,'' it said. It hailed the Chief Executive's visit as a resounding success, stating that it had ``further strengthened the already strong ties''.

Arrives in Hanoi

DPA reports:

Gen. Musharraf arrived in Hanoi today and held talks with Vietnam's Premier, with the two leaders expressing a desire to expand their relationship. Gen Musharraf and the Prime Minister, Mr. Phan Van Khai, reviewed a guard of honour before entering the presidential palace.

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