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The Nation-Snag holds up fate of 18



The Nation
Snag holds up fate of 18 activists

BURMA yesterday told Thailand it had run into a technical problem which
would cause a delay in deciding the fate of the 18 international democracy
activists who are currently being detained in Rangoon. 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kobsak Chutikul said he was informed by a senior
Burmese official by telephone yesterday that some of the 18 international
activists arrested on Sunday for questioning over the distribution of
leaflets, have refused to cooperate thus hindering the authorities' ability
to compile a report. 

The report will be submitted to higher authorities who will eventually
decide on the fate of the 18 democracy activists including three Thai
participants. 

Kobsak said U Nyunt Maung Shein, the Burmese Foreign Ministry's director
general of the political department told him over the phone about the
obstacle in the questioning process, however, the Burmese official would
not reveal the names of those refusing to cooperate with the junta. 

He said Burma will periodically inform Thailand about the developments in
order to provide factual accounts regarding the 18 detained activists
because there have been many confusing reports. 

''There are many confusing reports based on rumour and hearsay with regard
to the 18 detained who are being questioned and Maung Shein has confirmed
that they are being detained and questioned and no legal charges have been
filed,'' he said. 

Quoting Maung Shein, Kobsak said the 18 activists from six countries are
not being regarded as prisoners and are being well looked after. 

Meanwhile, Burmese officials in Bangkok have complained to the ministry
over the demonstrations outside its embassy saying that the protesters are
preventing the embassy from performing functioning normally. 

Kobsak said the embassy officials complained that demonstrators were
blocking the entrance and exit to the embassy compound and that Thailand
was violating the Vienna Convention in not taking action. 

''Thailand, as party to the Convention and host country has to ensure the
proper functioning of diplomatic activities,'' he said. 

Pro-democracy supporters belonging to different Burmese dissident groups
have been camping outside the embassy since last Monday. They have pledged
to remain until Aug 21, the deadline given to the Burmese government for
convening parliament. 

The Associated Press reported yesterday that unidentified assailants threw
bottles at those protesting outside the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok early
yesterday, injuring eight of them. 

In two separate incidents, at 1 am and 4 am, groups of men riding in a
truck and on motorcycles drove past and threw bottles at the protesters as
they slept outside the embassy. The assailants were chased by two Thai
policemen guarding the protesters, but they escaped. 

The eight who were injured were taken to Chulalongkorn Hospital. The extent
of their injuries are not known. 

Shattered glass littered the pavement as police interviewed the protesters
about the incident later. 

''We believe Thais launched the attack, but they were paid by the Burmese
government because the Thais have no motivation to do this,'' claimed Gaw
Win, a Burmese exile. 

''I will instruct local police to increase security for the protesters,''
police officer Sawek Wattankit said after questioning the protesters. 

''As long as their protest is peaceful, then we as police and as Thais,
support their movement,'' he said. 

NOTE: On Tuesday, Aug 11, The Nation incorrectly quoted Debbie Stothard
from Alternative Asean for Burma on the front page. The correct quote
should have read: ''They were well aware they might be arrested but arrest
was not a goal,'' Stothard said. 



The Nation