NEWS - Myanmar Leader Arrives in Th

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Subject: NEWS - Myanmar Leader Arrives in Thailand

NOTE: Activists were again detained and prevented from demonstrating at
Than Shwe's arrival and various meetings.

Myanmar Leader Arrives in Thailand

               Xinhua
               08-MAR-99

               BANGKOK (March 8) XINHUA - Myanmar Prime Minister and
               Defense Minister General Than Shwe arrived in Thailand's
               northern city of Chiang Rai Monday for a two-day official
               visit. 

               Than Shwe, who is also chairman of the ruling State Peace
               and Development Council (SPDC), and his 40-strong
               entourage were greeted by Thai Prime Minister and Defense
               Minister Chuan Leekpai at the Chiang Rai airport. 

               Than Shwe, accompanied by Chuan, visited a crop
               substitution plantation, where large areas of opium have
               been successfully replaced by cash crops such as
               vegetables and flowers. 

               The two prime ministers later held talks at a downtown
hotel,
               focusing on bilateral cooperation in narcotics
suppression,
               including cracking down on drug trade and illicit
trafficking in
               the infamous Golden Triangle area including parts of
               Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. 

               Marine and fishing disputes between the two neighbors
were
               also discussed during the talks. 

               Than Shwe is scheduled to fly to Bangkok Monday
               afternoon, where he will be granted an audience by Thai
               King Bhumibol Adulyadej. 

               Than Shwe is the first Myanmar leader to visit Thailand
               since 1988. 

               Than Shwe and his entourage, including SPDC First
               Secretary Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Foreign Minister
               Win Aung and other high-ranking officials, will visit a
               chicken-processing plant in the central province of
Saraburi
               Tuesday before returning to Rangoon, capital of Myanmar.