BKK POST: Surin urges Burma to spe

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

                                            August 14, 1998 


                                  

 Surin urges Burma
 to speed up action
 against detained 

 Minister seeks faster solution to problem

 Suebpong Unarat and Mongkol Bangprapa

 Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan has called on Burma to speed up
 legal action against the 18 detained foreign activists.

 Mr Surin disclosed the news when he addressed representatives of the
 Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development yesterday.

 The representatives submitted a letter through him to the prime
 minister asking the government to take action to secure the release of
 the three Thais.

 Mr Surin said the foreign ministry had coordinated with the Burmese
 government from the beginning and had asked it to speed up the
 interrogation and legal process.

 The Burmese ambassador to Thailand said there were still problems
 with some of the non-Thai activists who had refused to provide
 information when asked.

 "I told [the ambassador] it would be good for all concerned if all
 procedures can be finished as soon as possible.

 "There are many other issues to be jointly dealt with in a constructive
 way. He said my suggestion would be taken for consideration," Mr
 Surin said.

 On the same day, the Asia Forum for Human Rights and
 Development, led by human rights lawyer Thongbai Thongpao and
 Phipop Thongchai, submitted a letter to the parliament president,
 opposition leader and other officials asking them to take steps to
 secure the release of the three Thais.

 The human rights advocates also submitted a letter to Prime Minister
 Chuan Leekpai urging his government and other members of the
 Association of Southeast Asian Nations to push for the unconditional
 release of all 18 activists.

 Meanwhile, New Aspiration and opposition leader Chavalit
 Yongchaiyudh suggested the government coordinate with the army
 chief to secure the release of the three Thais.

 He said the government should assign Army Chief Gen Chettha
 Thanajaro to hold negotiations with Burmese authorities.

 Gen Chettha, who is known to have close ties with top Rangoon
 military figures, has secured the release of Thais arrested by Burmese
 officials on several occasions.

 The former prime minister expressed confidence the army chief would
 help solve the problem and free the three activists.

 The detained Thais are: Jaran Dithapichai, 51, a Rangsit University
 lecturer and member of the Union for Civil Liberties; Sawat Uppahad,
 37, of the Forum of the Poor and Chanakan Pandermvongse, 22, of
 the Student Federation of Thailand. They were arrested along with 15
 other foreigners last Sunday for handing out leaflets urging a return of
 democracy.

 The detainees have not been charged formally but the junta accused
 them of attempting to incite unrest.

 Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra said Mr
 Chuan has expressed concern over the arrest of the Thai people and
 has asked the foreign ministry to closely follow up the case.

 M.R. Sukhumbhand said he received reports from the Thai
 ambassador in Rangoon that the three Thais were in good health and
 had received proper treatment from Burmese authorities.

 Asked why the Thai government did not join other countries in calling
 for the release of the detainees, the deputy foreign minister said the
 government wanted Burma to clear the problem first, adding it was a
 diplomatic etiquette to respect another country's ability to settle
 problems within its own borders.

             


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 Last Modified: Fri, Aug 14, 1998
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