Bkk Post-Chuan to raise drugs issue

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Subject: Bkk Post-Chuan to raise drugs issue in talks with Than Shwe

March 2, 1999
Chuan to raise drugs issue in talks with Than Shwe
Army border units told to be prepared

Wassana Nanuam

The prime minister will raise drugs production and smuggling along the
border with his Burmese counterpart due for a two-day visit next week.

Chuan Leekpai, also defence minister, expects full cooperation from Burma in
formulating plans to combat trafficking, said a source.

Gen Than Shwe is due to visit Thailand between March 8-9 in the wake of
long-standing border conflicts as talks to settle the disputes are under
way. His visit follows that of Win Aung, the Burmese foreign minister, who
was here last month.

The talks were supported by Gen Surayud Chulanont, army chief, Gen Teeradej
Meepien, permanent secretary for defence, and Gen Mongkol Ampornpisit,
supreme commander, at the Defence Council talks last week.

Meanwhile, Gen Surayud has ordered troops along the border to be prepared
despite pending talks later this month, an army source said.

Thailand and Burma will discuss confidence-building measures at the Regional
Border Committee in Phuket in the middle of this month.

According to the source, Gen Surayud plans to invite senior Burmese figures
at the regional level to visit Thailand to strengthen relations.

"Although the army chief emphasises the Foreign Ministry takes the lead in
solving problems with Burma, he considers personal relationships crucial,"
said the source.

A number of army colonels is to be selected to participate in a Thai-Burmese
language exchange programme resulting from Gen Surayud's visit to Burma last
month, he added.