EU angered by Thai banning of trade

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Subject: EU angered by Thai banning of trade meeting  (Australian

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EU angered by Thai banning of trade meeting
Monday 24 May, 1999 (6:38pm AEST) 
(Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
The European Union Commission is unhappy Thailand has banned an
International Trade Union meeting scheduled to begin today.

Thai officials say the issues of labour rights should not be used to block
Thailand's candidate for leader of the World Trade Organisation.

The International Trade Union meeting, which was to discuss human rights and
labour issues in neighbouring Burma, was abruptly banned by the Thai
Government. 

European Union Commission officials in Bangkok say they are unhappy the
meeting was stopped while trade union officials believe the ban will reflect
badly on Thailand's candidate for director of the World Trade Organisation
(WTO).

Thai Government spokesman Akaphol Sorasuchart rejected this accusation
warning labour issues such as this one should not be used to block
Thailand's WTO bid. 

The Labour meeting was banned because it interferred with the internal
affairs of a neighbouring country, Mr Akaphol said.