NOTE- Why is Thailand Really Oppose

[Rangoonp@xxxxxxx]

Subject: NOTE- Why is Thailand Really Opposed to the ILO's Actions??

- Why is Thailand Really Opposed to the ILO's Actions??
Part of their admision from before is that they are afraid of furthter
military incursions by the junta  and they are economically dependent on
ALL their neigbors.


The Nation - June 19, 1999

Local & Politics

Thailand opposes ILO action against Burma

THAILAND hopes the International Labour Organisation's latest resolution
against Burma will not result in the country's further isolation from
the
international community, Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said yesterday.

Surin said Thailand understood that the resolution that would bar
Rangoon
from ILO assistance and ILO meetings was the expression of other
countries
against Burma's forced labour practices.

''Understanding that the resolution shows how the international
community
feels about Burma, we [however] hope that it would not result in Burma's
isolation,'' Surin said.

The 174-nation ILO had recently adopted a resolution in its annual
meeting
proclaiming that it was appalled by the continued widespread use of
forced
labour, including for work on infrastructure projects and as porters for
the
army.

The members agreed that Burma will be prohibited from any ILO assistance
and
would not be allowed to attend ILO meetings.

Asean countries participating in the meeting objected to the resolution,
which was passed by 133-47 votes.

Asean has adopted a constructive-engagement approach towards Burma,
which
rejects sanctions against the country but provides an opportunity for it
to
re-join the world community.

Surin added that Rangoon has already instructed villages and communities
to
stop the forced labour.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Don Pramudwinai said that the
resolution, which is considered a punishment for Burma, would isolate
the
country.

''To isolate Burma from the world community could possibly lead to an
adverse outcome. Instead of granting Burma an opportunity to witness
other

countries' activities, like Asean's constructive-engagement policy does,
the
ILO resolution has done the opposite,'' Don stated.

Burma has been at the heart of controversy as its military junta refuses
to
hand over rule to the opposition, which won elections in 1990. The junta
has
also been criticised for not doing anything to stop the forced labour.
The
European Union has already placed a ban on the junta leaders' visits.

Don confirmed that Rangoon has issued regulations banning forced labour.

''Asean is different from the West. Asean's constructive-engagement
policy
requires that one must be patient with the country,'' Don said.

Thailand disagrees with forced labour, but it believes that more time
and
more patience are required when dealing with Burma, Don added.

BY MARISA CHIMPRABHA