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NATION: THAI FM SEES BENEFITS IN BU



Subject: NATION: THAI FM SEES BENEFITS IN BURMA SHUFFLE


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The Nation (Bangkok)
April 30, 1994

[THAI FM] PRASONG SEES BENEFITS IN BURMA SHUFFLE

The promotion of Burmese army chief Gen Maung Aye to vice chairman
of the ruling junta will facilitate the settlement of problems
between Thailand and Burma, Foreign Minister Prasong Soonsiri said
yesterday.

Gen Muang Aye had a good working relationship with many senior Thai
officers.  "This relationship will help smooth the settlement of
existing problems" the minister said.

Prasong returned from Rangoon last week after consultations on
Burmese attendance at the annual Asean meetings in Bangkok in July,
and reportedly learned in advance of Maung Aye's appointment.

The Thai and Burmese armies are on generally good terms despite
sporadic border skirmishes, triggered mostly by Rangoon's military
offensives against ethnic rebels operating along the Thai-Burmese
border.  Negotiations involving a joint boundary committee on the
demarcation of the often obscure frontier are reported to be on
track.

Maung Aye was formerly military commander of the easter region
bordering Thailand, and was appointed army chief last year.  His
elevation to vice chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration
Council (SLORC), the official name of the military junta, makes him
second only to its chairman Gen. Than Shwe.

However, his promotion did not come as a surprise.  He has been
heavily promoted in the government-controlled Burmese media
recently and was seen at Than Shwe's left side at every public
function.

The general has played a vital role in the junta's attempts to
divide the opposition wing spearheaded by the armed ethnic
insurgency.

Diplomats in Rangoon generally felt his appointment as vice
chairman tightened the grip on power of Lt. Gen Khin Nyunt, Slorc's
secretary-general, who has been at odds for several months with
Than Shwe.

However, one Asian diplomat said it was too soon to see who would
emerge as the real leader.