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Thai-Burma border tension eased
- Subject: Thai-Burma border tension eased
- From: ausgeo@xxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 04:47:00
Friday May 30
Thai-Burma border tension eased
BANGKOK, May 30 (UPI) _ Thai and Burmese troops have withdrawn from a disputed
island along the two countries' common border in a bid to reduce tensions over
a long-running disagreement on the location of the borderline.
Thai military officers say tensions intensified last weekend when Burmese
troops were dispatched to protect a dredging crew on the small island on the
Moei River, which forms a natural boundary between Thailand and Burma.
The island, named Khok Chang Puek by Thais in the area, was formed after a
flood two years ago changed the course of the Moei River.
The river has been the official borderline in the area since 1868 under the
terms a treaty signed by the British colonial government in Burma and the
royal government of Siam.
Although Burma still claims the land as its territory, Thai farmers moved onto
the island and said they had Thai government land deeds to back up their
claims.
The Thai farmers staged public protests when the Burmese brought in workers
and heavy equipment to dredge the island in order to change the river back to
its previous course.
The potential for conflict increased when Thai troops were sent to the island
to counter the Burmese move, digging in as close as 20 yards (meters) from the
Burmese troops.
The Bangkok Post quotes today senior Thai military officers as saying the
dispute was a misunderstanding and both sides had agreed to withdraw their
forces.
The officers claimed Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh had given permission
to the Burmese to dredge the river but had failed to inform Thai military
units at the border.