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BKK POST: January 27, 1998:THAILAND



BKK POST: January 27, 1998:THAILAND-BURMA

              Army chief tries to
              solve fishing row

              Uamdao Noikorn, Wasana Nanuam

              Alongstanding Thai-Burmese dispute over illegal fishing in
              Burmese waters by Thais is likely to be settled soon as Rangoon
              has offered to revive its relations with Bangkok based on
              transparency.

              A significant progress was seen yesterday after a meeting
              between top officials of the Agriculture and Cooperatives
              Ministry and the army chief, Gen Chettha Thanajaro, who visited
              Burma last week.

              "The offer by the Burmese government is a very good sign for
              Thailand. The fishery industry is very important here and I'm sure
              Thais don't want to lose this big fishing ground," Gen Chettha
              said in a press conference yesterday.

              A newly formed committee will start working out proposals and
              measures to curb rogue Thai fishing boats for submission to the
              ministry in 15 days.

              The committee is made up of the ministry's deputy
              director-general Kookiat Suwannalak and representatives of its
              Department of Fisheries and the armed forces.

              It is expected future talks with Burma would be fruitful since this
              was the first time the armed force had agreed to lend a hand.
              Previous talks yielded little success partly due to Thai fishing
              operators' reluctance to play by the rule and the country's lax law
              enforcement.

              Rangoon has warned its renewed relations with Thailand would
              be successful only with a clear-cut policy and strong commitment
              from the Thai side, said Gen Chettha.

              Deputy Agriculture Minister Virat Rattanaset yesterday admitted
              the bad image of Thai fishermen posed a major obstacle to future
              talks with Rangoon, citing the fact Thais, whether intentionally or
              not, have continued to fish outside their concessioned areas in
              Burma.

              Their practice has led to several arrests by Burmese authorities
              and added to diplomatic rows between the two countries over a
              repatriation issue.

              Some Thai operators have also cheated Burma of concession
              fees by adding at least three unlicensed boats to a registered one,
              resulting in overfishing.

              Three years ago, Burma officially refused to renew its fishing
              concessions to Thai fishermen.

              Mr Virat also planned to look into a report on Burma's refusal to
              accept concession payment in baht following the economic
              downturn in Thailand, insisting on being paid in US dollars only.

              "Paying in dollars has cost Thai fishermen about 54 million baht
              per boat per month or so I heard," he said.

              Plodprasop Surasawadi, a former Department of Fisheries,
              confirmed Burma used to accept both Thai and US currencies
              and started refusing to take the baht only last year.




                                     




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Last Modified: Tue, Jan 27, 1998