Reuters-Thailand urges dialogue bet

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Thailand urges dialogue between Myanmar factions 
07:53 a.m. Aug 21, 1998 Eastern 

BANGKOK, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Thailand called on Friday for dialogue between
Myanmar's military government and the opposition, saying it offered moral
support to both sides. 

Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra said his country was
closely watching the standoff between Myanmar opposition leader Aung San
Suu Kyi and the military. 

``The Thai government is giving moral support to all factions -- both to
the Myanmar govenment and the NLD (National Leaque for Democracy) and we
are continuously supporting efforts for dialogue without pre-conditions,''
Sukhumbhand said. 

Sukhumbhand is due to visit Myanmar on Sunday to celebrate 50 years of
bilateral relations between the two countries. 

Asked whether he would push to visit Suu Kyi during his visit, he replied:
``As a friendly country we are not going to interfere into another
country's internal affairs.'' 

Thailand has been pushing for a policy of ``flexible engagement'' within
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which would allow
member countries to criticise each other and a ``Regional Surveillance
System'' to allow them to monitor each other's affairs. 

``During the visit I will also discuss the setting up of a Regional
Surveillance System,'' Sukhumbhand said. 

He said Myanmar would benefit from such a system as it would allow it to
monitor other countries itself. 

Myanmar is the only country in ASEAN -- which also comprises Brunei,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam
-- under direct military rule.