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BKK Post - Junta re-opens border pa
- Subject: BKK Post - Junta re-opens border pa
- From: m.win@xxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 02:17:00
Subject: BKK Post - Junta re-opens border passes/SCMP - Border to reopen after stand-off
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BANGKOK POST - November 24, 1999 =20
THAI-BURMESE RELATIONS
Junta re-opens border passes
Closure ordered to 'reduce tensions'
Post Reporters
Burma has agreed to re-open its land border with Thailand today, more =
than seven weeks after unilaterally closing it following the Oct 1 =
seizure of its embassy by dissidents.
Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan announced Burma's decision after a =
day-long trip to Rangoon during which he held separate meetings with =
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development =
Council, and Foreign Minister Win Aung.
Mr Surin said all four border passes-Mae Sai-Tachilek, Mae Sot-Myawaddy, =
Three Pagoda Pass and Ranong-Kawthaung-will re-open after the local =
township border committee meets at these points.
"Everything will return to normal, including border trade and travel of =
people, of tourists," Mr Surin said.
It will benefit both countries and facilitate co-operation along the =
2,000km border, he said.
Burma said it had closed the border in order to reduce tensions stemming =
from the embassy siege, and ensure calm in the area, Mr Surin said.
The talks also covered fishery issues, the deportation of illegal =
Burmese workers, and exiled Burmese students held responsible for the =
embassy siege.
Mr Surin said Burma will invite Thai fishing operators for talks in =
Rangoon in order to clarify concessions. The invitation would be =
extended when the fishermen were ready, he said. Thai fishermen, who say =
they have suffered huge losses from Burma's closure of its waters, =
earlier tried to negotiate independent deals
Burma also gave assurances that illegal workers could return in safety, =
provided they re-enter at the point where they left the country, Mr =
Surin added.
As for the five dissident students airlifted to the border from the =
embassy, Burma left it up to Thailand to proceed with them according to =
Thai law, Mr Surin said. Mr Surin also raised for discussion the future =
of Thai-Burmese relations, and made clear that they should be based on a =
formal framework, and be accountable. Hence, advance notice should be =
given of any halting of border activities, such as a border closure.
"We will have to base our activities on the basis of bilateral =
agreements that we have, on the basis of international law, =
international practices," he said.
"From now on, we hope that our relations will be on a formal footing, =
and both sides look forward to further co-operation, and better =
relations between them.. in the spirit of Asean, and in the spirit of =
good neighbourliness," Mr Surin said.
The minister's talks in Rangoon took place two days before he and Mr Win =
Aung join other regional ministers in Manila for a preparatory meeting =
before the start there on Sunday of the Association of Southeast Asian =
Nations summit.
Business operators in several border provinces welcomed Rangoon's =
decision to re-open the border from 9am today.
Panithi Tangpati, president of Tak chamber of commerce, said he was =
informed of the move yesterday afternoon. Mr Panithi and the presidents =
of chambers of commerce in other border provinces were among the first =
to receive the news.
He said Burma also plans to revive a road construction project, named =
A1, linking Mae Sot and Burma. Thailand has agreed to provide a =
low-interest loan of 300 million baht to fund the 65km project.
In Chiang Rai, Thai authorities in Mae Sai district are also prepared =
for discussions with their Burmese counterparts in Tachilek.
Anan Laothammathas, president of Chiang Rai chamber of commerce, said =
yesterday he expected business to soon return to normal as a result.
Pol Col Panurat Meepian, chief of Mae Sai police, said yesterday small =
vendors have started cleaning up their shops after the news broke.
=20
----------------
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - Wednesday, November 24, 1999
=20
THE MEKONG REGION
Border to reopen after stand-off
BURMA by WILLIAM BARNES and AGENCIES in Bangkok=20
Thailand and Burma have agreed to reopen their border, closed by Rangoon =
after a hostage crisis at its Bangkok Embassy, Thai Foreign Minister =
Surin Pitsuwan said yesterday.=20
"Everything will be returned to normal, including border trade, travel =
of people and tourists," said Mr Surin after returning from a one-day =
visit to the Burmese capital aimed at mending ties.=20
Burma closed the border on October 1 and cancelled Thai fishing licences =
after Bangkok supplied five anti-junta gunmen with an escape helicopter =
in exchange for the release of 38 hostages.=20
Rangoon was particularly upset because the dissidents ransacked a safe =
amd took a number of highly sensitive documents.=20
After meeting counterpart Win Aung and powerful junta intelligence =
chief, Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, Mr Surin said he believed the =
border would re-open today.=20
"We agreed that the township border committees from Ranong to the Three =
Pagoda Pass, Mae Sot and Mae Sai will meet on the matter and everything =
will return to normal," he said.=20
Critics of the regime were quick to point out that what has not been =
done is to remove what they describe as the root cause of the =
surprisingly bitter row - the Rangoon regime's intolerance of dissent.=20
"The regime is like an old punch-drunk boxer who lashes out at shadows, =
at anyone who offers even mild criticism. It thinks it has to act tough =
to maintain respect," said an exiled opposition activist in Bangkok.=20
In closing the border, Burma appeared to have provoked Thailand into =
behaving like Rangoon does.=20
However, Bangkok was finally tempted to do what it has been threatening =
to do for several years: kick out the many thousands of Burmese working =
illegally in the country.=20
The result might have been painful and caused confusion, but at least it =
taught the Burmese that their aggressive actions sometimes had a high =
price.=20
"It's been a face thing. Neither side felt like backing down on the =
issue," said an observer.=20
The two countries are historically old enemies: Thai children are still =
taught to blame their neighbour for the sacking of the old capital of =
Ayuddhya more than two centuries ago as if it was something that =
happened last year.=20
But the problems are as much cultural as historic. The proud and prickly =
Burmese regime deeply distrusts what it sees as the devious and =
treacherous Thais.=20
The Thais, in turn, regard the Burmese as ludicrously obstinate and =
rigid.=20
The ruling generals have in recent times been angered by Thailand's =
attempts to push the idea that the Association of Southeast Asian =
Nations (Asean) should go beyond "constructive engagement".=20
The point being to try to apply pressure on neighbours who step out of =
line - albeit in the guise of offering friendly advice.=20
This relatively bold notion has found little favour with most of the =
other members of Asean, who regard it as a stick that might later be =
used against them.=20
Nevertheless, it was a move viewed with thinly disguised loathing by a =
regime that has long blamed Thailand for its often covert support for =
ethnic rebels who operate along their common border.=20
Yesterday's patching up of the quarrel will allow both countries to sail =
smoothly into this week's Asean heads of government meeting in Manila.=20
Yet Burma remains - as a recent World Bank report has emphasised - in =
desperate straits.=20
Its economy is in tatters and social problems are getting worse.=20
That will inevitably mean that more Burmese will seek refuge and work in =
Thailand.=20
The Thai Government will then again face the choice of trying to appease =
its fed-up domestic audience or pander to international opinion.=20
Thailand's protestations that it is entirely within its rights to push =
out illegal workers do not cut much ice abroad when it causes so much =
misery.=20
This ugly little episode may have reached a diplomatically useful =
pre-Asean ending. But both sides will harbour resentments.=20
Or as a diplomat in Rangoon said: "Don't throw away your hard hats - =
they'll be back at it before very long. It's in the nature of the =
relationship."=20
=20
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D3>
<DIV>BANGKOK POST - November 24, 1999 </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>THAI-BURMESE RELATIONS</DIV>
<DIV><BR>Junta re-opens border passes<BR>Closure ordered to 'reduce=20
tensions'</DIV>
<DIV><BR>Post Reporters</DIV>
<DIV><BR>Burma has agreed to re-open its land border with Thailand =
today, more=20
than seven weeks after unilaterally closing it following the Oct 1 =
seizure of=20
its embassy by dissidents.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan announced Burma's decision after a =
day-long=20
trip to Rangoon during which he held separate meetings with Lt-Gen Khin =
Nyunt,=20
secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, and Foreign =
Minister Win=20
Aung.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Mr Surin said all four border passes-Mae Sai-Tachilek, Mae =
Sot-Myawaddy,=20
Three Pagoda Pass and Ranong-Kawthaung-will re-open after the local =
township=20
border committee meets at these points.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Everything will return to normal, including border trade and =
travel of=20
people, of tourists," Mr Surin said.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>It will benefit both countries and facilitate co-operation along =
the=20
2,000km border, he said.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Burma said it had closed the border in order to reduce tensions =
stemming=20
from the embassy siege, and ensure calm in the area, Mr Surin =
said.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The talks also covered fishery issues, the deportation of illegal =
Burmese=20
workers, and exiled Burmese students held responsible for the embassy=20
siege.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Mr Surin said Burma will invite Thai fishing operators for talks in =
Rangoon=20
in order to clarify concessions. The invitation would be extended when =
the=20
fishermen were ready, he said. Thai fishermen, who say they have =
suffered huge=20
losses from Burma's closure of its waters, earlier tried to negotiate=20
independent deals</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Burma also gave assurances that illegal workers could return in =
safety,=20
provided they re-enter at the point where they left the country, Mr =
Surin=20
added.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>As for the five dissident students airlifted to the border from the =
embassy, Burma left it up to Thailand to proceed with them according to =
Thai=20
law, Mr Surin said. Mr Surin also raised for discussion the future of=20
Thai-Burmese relations, and made clear that they should be based on a =
formal=20
framework, and be accountable. Hence, advance notice should be given of =
any=20
halting of border activities, such as a border closure.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"We will have to base our activities on the basis of bilateral =
agreements=20
that we have, on the basis of international law, international =
practices," he=20
said.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"From now on, we hope that our relations will be on a formal =
footing, and=20
both sides look forward to further co-operation, and better relations =
between=20
them.. in the spirit of Asean, and in the spirit of good =
neighbourliness," Mr=20
Surin said.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The minister's talks in Rangoon took place two days before he and =
Mr Win=20
Aung join other regional ministers in Manila for a preparatory meeting =
before=20
the start there on Sunday of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations=20
summit.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Business operators in several border provinces welcomed Rangoon's =
decision=20
to re-open the border from 9am today.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Panithi Tangpati, president of Tak chamber of commerce, said he was =
informed of the move yesterday afternoon. Mr Panithi and the presidents =
of=20
chambers of commerce in other border provinces were among the first to =
receive=20
the news.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>He said Burma also plans to revive a road construction project, =
named A1,=20
linking Mae Sot and Burma. Thailand has agreed to provide a low-interest =
loan of=20
300 million baht to fund the 65km project.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In Chiang Rai, Thai authorities in Mae Sai district are also =
prepared for=20
discussions with their Burmese counterparts in Tachilek.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Anan Laothammathas, president of Chiang Rai chamber of commerce, =
said=20
yesterday he expected business to soon return to normal as a =
result.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Pol Col Panurat Meepian, chief of Mae Sai police, said yesterday =
small=20
vendors have started cleaning up their shops after the news=20
broke.<BR> <BR>----------------</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - Wednesday, November 24, 1999<BR> =
<BR>THE=20
MEKONG REGION</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Border to reopen after stand-off<BR>BURMA by WILLIAM BARNES and =
AGENCIES in=20
Bangkok </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thailand and Burma have agreed to reopen their border, closed by =
Rangoon=20
after a hostage crisis at its Bangkok Embassy, Thai Foreign Minister =
Surin=20
Pitsuwan said yesterday. <BR>"Everything will be returned to normal, =
including=20
border trade, travel of people and tourists," said Mr Surin after =
returning from=20
a one-day visit to the Burmese capital aimed at mending ties. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Burma closed the border on October 1 and cancelled Thai fishing =
licences=20
after Bangkok supplied five anti-junta gunmen with an escape helicopter =
in=20
exchange for the release of 38 hostages. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Rangoon was particularly upset because the dissidents ransacked a =
safe amd=20
took a number of highly sensitive documents. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>After meeting counterpart Win Aung and powerful junta intelligence =
chief,=20
Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, Mr Surin said he believed the border =
would=20
re-open today. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"We agreed that the township border committees from Ranong to the =
Three=20
Pagoda Pass, Mae Sot and Mae Sai will meet on the matter and everything =
will=20
return to normal," he said. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Critics of the regime were quick to point out that what has not =
been done=20
is to remove what they describe as the root cause of the surprisingly =
bitter row=20
- the Rangoon regime's intolerance of dissent. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"The regime is like an old punch-drunk boxer who lashes out at =
shadows, at=20
anyone who offers even mild criticism. It thinks it has to act tough to =
maintain=20
respect," said an exiled opposition activist in Bangkok. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In closing the border, Burma appeared to have provoked Thailand =
into=20
behaving like Rangoon does. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>However, Bangkok was finally tempted to do what it has been =
threatening to=20
do for several years: kick out the many thousands of Burmese working =
illegally=20
in the country. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The result might have been painful and caused confusion, but at =
least it=20
taught the Burmese that their aggressive actions sometimes had a high =
price.=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"It's been a face thing. Neither side felt like backing down on the =
issue,"=20
said an observer. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The two countries are historically old enemies: Thai children are =
still=20
taught to blame their neighbour for the sacking of the old capital of =
Ayuddhya=20
more than two centuries ago as if it was something that happened last =
year.=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>But the problems are as much cultural as historic. The proud and =
prickly=20
Burmese regime deeply distrusts what it sees as the devious and =
treacherous=20
Thais. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Thais, in turn, regard the Burmese as ludicrously obstinate and =
rigid.=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The ruling generals have in recent times been angered by Thailand's =
attempts to push the idea that the Association of Southeast Asian =
Nations=20
(Asean) should go beyond "constructive engagement". </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The point being to try to apply pressure on neighbours who step out =
of line=20
- albeit in the guise of offering friendly advice. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>This relatively bold notion has found little favour with most of =
the other=20
members of Asean, who regard it as a stick that might later be used =
against=20
them. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Nevertheless, it was a move viewed with thinly disguised loathing =
by a=20
regime that has long blamed Thailand for its often covert support for =
ethnic=20
rebels who operate along their common border. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Yesterday's patching up of the quarrel will allow both countries to =
sail=20
smoothly into this week's Asean heads of government meeting in Manila. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Yet Burma remains - as a recent World Bank report has emphasised - =
in=20
desperate straits. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Its economy is in tatters and social problems are getting worse. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>That will inevitably mean that more Burmese will seek refuge and =
work in=20
Thailand. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Thai Government will then again face the choice of trying to =
appease=20
its fed-up domestic audience or pander to international opinion. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thailand's protestations that it is entirely within its rights to =
push out=20
illegal workers do not cut much ice abroad when it causes so much =
misery. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>This ugly little episode may have reached a diplomatically useful =
pre-Asean=20
ending. But both sides will harbour resentments. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Or as a diplomat in Rangoon said: "Don't throw away your hard hats =
-=20
they'll be back at it before very long. It's in the nature of the=20
relationship." <BR> </DIV>
<DIV>---------------<BR></DIV><BR></DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
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