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BKK Post (13-10-99)Burma takes fres

Subject: BKK Post (13-10-99)Burma takes fresh look at security

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<font size=5><b>Burma takes fresh look at security<br>
</font><font size=4><i>Closure order said to be temporary<br>
<br>
</font></b></i><font size=3>Burma is in the process of building security
confidence and reassessing border regulations in the wake of the Oct 1
embassy siege, said Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan.<br>
He explained the government was doing its best through formal and
informal diplomatic channels to resolve the on-going distrust Burma
appears to be having toward Thailand.<br>
Rangoon has given Thailand the cold shoulder since the embassy incident
and introduced what is viewed as sanctions: the border closure and
revocation of fishing concessions.<br>
Apparently worried, Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai on Monday wrote to his
Burmese counterpart Than Shwe appealing for normalisation of ties.<br>
Mr Surin said Burma was now working toward improving security protection
in order to boost confidence and prevent recurrence of the embassy
siege.<br>
To his knowledge, Burmese authorities were investigating any Burmese
nationals who may have taken part in plotting the embassy
hostage-taking.<br>
The Burmese embassy and the ambassador would be given tighter protection
as Rangoon was considering measures to revamp supervision of the embassy
compound. These include putting up barbed wire on fences, and separating
visitor-contact offices from the embassy premises.<br>
Mr Surin ruled out a review of bilateral policies with Burma in response
to observations that Thailand was being too submissive to the Burmese
government.<br>
The minister said countries could not choose their geography or their
neighbours and that the differing foreign policies and approaches to
solving problems could result in misunderstanding between them.<br>
He insisted dialogue would continue to be pursued in alleviating conflict
with Burma.<br>
Denying Thailand was Burma's underdog, he expressed confidence the
government had adhered to correct principles in handling the Burma
problem.<br>
M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the deputy foreign affairs minister, said
Burma's foreign ministry confirmed the border closure was temporary but
declined to say when links would be resumed.<br>
It sealed the border as part of usual security procedures and not in
retaliation against Thailand's decision to release the Burmese
hostage-takers, he said.<br>
The closure could have stemmed from internal unrest in Burma, he said.
But the government has alerted Rangoon to the economic repercussions
caused by the closure.<br>
However, the Burmese government refused to acknowledge the fishing rights
because the concessions had been signed without its authorisation.<br>
There has been a huge loss of revenue from suspension of border trade and
fishing rights and the government has been urged to negotiate with Burma
on the lifting of the ban.<br>
Mr Chuan, meanwhile, said the border situation was no cause for concern
despite reports of escalating tension after Rangoon dispatched more
troops to patrol the border.<br>
Gen Chettha Thanajaro, the former army chief and security adviser to
Interior Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, said the Burmese troops were
massed at the border to suppress ethnic rebels, and that the action had
nothing to do with the embassy siege.<br>
The deployment was not out of the ordinary as it was carried out every
rainy season.<br>
The only possible adverse effect was the possible influx of refugees
pushed across the border into Thailand by the suppression drive.<br>
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</font><font size=5><b>Border closure deemed good<br>
</font><font size=4><i>Business booming for certain traders<br>
<br>
</font></i><font size=3>Subin Khuenkaew <br>
</font><font size=5>T</font></b><font size=3>hailand should not overreact
to Burma's closure of its border following the recent Burmese embassy
siege in Bangkok, the newly-appointed Third Army commander said
yesterday.<br>
&quot;Good,&quot; said Lt-Gen Wattanachai Chaimuangwongse in Phitsanulok
when asked for his opinion on Burma's decision to close its border with
Thailand.<br>
A closed border would be easier to control in terms of security, he
explained.<br>
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of Thai businessmen, fishermen and workers
have been affected by Burma's closure of all legal border crossings at
Mae Sai-Tachilek and Ranong-Kawthaung, and the cancellation of fishing
concessions granted to Thai boats.<br>
Rangoon has also reinforced its border troops since the embassy
takeover.<br>
Lt-Gen Wattanachai yesterday said the Third Army was ready to push back
any armed intruders.<br>
&quot;Our forces have been told to be highly vigilant, especially in
areas where ethnic refugees from Burma are located, to prevent the
possibility of sabotage.&quot; Meanwhile, business was booming for some
local traders who were sending goods to Burma via small passages near the
Kiew Pha Wok crossing in Chiang Dao.<br>
Also, local people in Mae Ai were moving goods by boat on the Kok river
to the United Wa State Army based in Mong Yawn.<br>
&quot;I wish the border remains closed for a long, long time. The money's
good,&quot; a trader said.<br>
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