NEWS - Myanmar GUNMEN'S Demand on H

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Subject: NEWS - Myanmar GUNMEN'S Demand on Helicopter Denied by Thai Police

Myanmar GUNMEN'S Demand on Helicopter Denied by Thai Police

BANGKOK (Oct. 1) XINHUA - The Thai police has denied the demand of
Myanmar gunmen, who stormed Myanmar embassy in Thailand and took about
20 people hostage earlier Friday, of being provided with a helicopter to
fly to the Thai-Myanmar border, a well-informed source told Xinhua. 

Shortly after the 12 gunmen, calling themselves "Vigorous Burmese
Students Warriors", took the embassy, they faxed to Asiaworks Television
Ltd, a local media group, their demands. 

The demands include all political prisoners in Myanmar being immediately
released, the Myanmar government entering dialogue with the opposition
and convening a democratic parliament. 

They also asked for a helicopter which can carry 20 people and fly to
the Thai-Myanmar border and for food for the hostages. 

Meanwhile, the Myanmar government has authorized its ambassador to
Thailand, who apparently is not among those taken hostage, to be
responsible for all the negotiations with the Thai sides on measures to
be taken against the gunmen, the source said. 

The 12 heavily armed men stormed the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand at
about 11:45 a.m. local time (0445 GMT). Soon after that shots of guns
were heard and residents living nearby reported to the police. 

More than 20 people inside the embassy at the moment were taken hostage,
including a counsellor of the embassy, while three of them were released
later. 

Chatchawal Suksumjit, spokesman of Royal Thai Police, told Xinhua that
no hostage has been hurt so far. 

Earlier Friday, he confirmed the number of the gunmen was at 12, but was
unable to give the exact figure of hostages. 

At about 3 p.m. local time (0800 GMT), one of the gunmen was seen
stepping out of the embassy and was immediately taken into custody by
the Thai policemen surrounding the embassy. 

He was believed to be the one who will conduct negotiations with the
Thai police. 

A Thai policeman released earlier said that the gunmen claimed they are
carrying assault rifles and 20 handgrenades. 

Thai police has blocked the roads leading to the Myanmar Embassy in
downtown Bangkok. 

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai said he was following the situation closely
and Interior Minister Sanan Kachornprasart directed security operations
from the scene.