BKK POST: February 2, 1998: THAI-BU

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

BKK POST: February 2, 1998: THAI-BURMESE BORDER

              Troops to leave
              disputed islands

              Supamart Kasem 
              Mae Sot, Tak

              Thailand and Burma have agreed to withdraw their troops from
              the two disputed islands in the Moei river at Mae Sot district
              from early yesterday morning following a direct intervention by
              the army commanders of the two countries.

              The agreement was reached on Saturday when the local
              Thai-Burmese Border Committee met in Myawaddy opposite
              Mae Sot.

              The meeting, co-chaired by Thai TBC chairman Col Chatchapat
              Yaemngamriab and Burmese counterpart Lt-Col Saing Phone,
              agreed to comply with their commanders' orders for the two
              sides to withdraw their troops and weapons from the two
              disputed island while civilians were allowed to stay.

              Sources said Thai Army Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro directly
              contacted Burma's Army Chief Gen Muang Aye and First
              Secretary of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)
              Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and they agreed to withdraw their forces
              and let the TBC solve the problem at local level.

              This led to Saturday's meeting of the TBC in Myawaddy and the
              withdrawal agreement.

              Earlier, Thai and Burmese military forces were engaged in a
              tense standoff after Fourth Infantry Regiment Task Force
              soldiers were sent to an island in the Moei river which has been
              cut off by the flow of the river from the mainland at Ban Mae
              Kone Kane on Friday to protect Thai civilians growing vegetable
              there.

              Burmese authorities at Myawaddy protested and threatened to
              send troops to drive out the Thai unit. At the same time, Burma
              retaliated by sending troops and equipment to a river island
              claimed by Burma, similarly cut off from the mainland by erosion,
              near Wat Phra That Khon Chang Phuak.

              The situation was tense on Saturday morning before it was eased
              following the meeting in the afternoon.




                                     




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