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BP: Burma pledges aid in release o



March 31, 1998


                                     



                  BORDER / AFTERMATH OF KNU ATTACK

              Burma pledges aid
              in release of
              abductees 

              Canberra summons, Thai, Burmese
              envoys

              Wassana Nanuam, Agencies

              Burmese army strongman Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt has promised to
              negotiate with Karen renegade rebels for the release of an
              Australian aid worker and his Thai assistant.

              An informed army source said that Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first
              secretary of Burma's State Peace and Development Council,
              promised Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro to
              try to secure the release of Nick Cheesman, an employee of the
              international organisation Burma Issues, and Ms Ngarmsuk
              Rattanasathien, who were captured by Democratic Karen
              Buddhist Army members last Friday.

              Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said it might take a couple of days before
              the pair could be released, said the source.

              Col Chatpat Yamngarmriab, commander of the 4th Infantry
              Task Force, crossed the border yesterday to meet Cpt Nu Nu,
              deputy commander of the DKBA forces, to discuss the
              abduction of the pair and their release, the source added.

              The source said the Thai colonel was told that the pair was not
              abducted but were "invited" to witness the DKBA camp after it
              was attacked by anti-Rangoon Karen National Union troops last
              week.

              The DKBA officer disclosed that both Mr Cheesman and Ms
              Ngarmsuk were safe at Myaing Gyi Ngu temple, the DKBA
              headquarters in Hlaingbwe, and they were expected to be
              released this Thursday, said the source.

              Foreign Ministry spokesman Kobsak Chutikul said Thai officials
              have asked Burmese authorities to return the pair as soon as
              possible.

              Citing a report, Mr Kobsak said the DKBA maintains that the
              two were not abducted but were shown round the site of a
              devastated camp on the Burmese side.

              In Canberra, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told
              the parliament that Thai and Burmese ambassadors were called
              to the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday to discuss the
              abduction.

              "This was an occasion for the government to register our
              concerns in the strongest possible way," Mr Downer said. "And
              we sought their assistance in working towards a safe release of
              Mr Cheesman and his Thai colleague."

              Australian officials had been unable to get first-hand reports of
              Mr Cheesman's welfare, Mr Downer said, adding: "But we
              understand that Mr Cheesman is as well as could be expected in
              these difficult circumstances.

              Mr Downer has ordered an Australian consular official from
              Bangkok to head to the area. But negotiations for Mr
              Cheesman's release were being handled by his employer, Burma
              Issues, said Mr Downer.

              Australian Embassy spokesman in Bangkok Peter Standord said
              it appeared that the pair would be taken around DKBA bases to
              take some photographs before they would be released.




                                     




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Last Modified: Tue, Mar 31, 1998