Bangkok Post News (17/9/98)

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News headlines:
1):Border trade resumes after nine months
2): Rangoon to consider releasing 86 Thais
 ................................................................
1):Border trade resumes after nine months
Burma opens one-stop checkpoint facility

The Mae Sot-Myawaddy border point reopened after nine months on the orders
of Rangoon yesterday.
The reopening of the checkpoint and Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge
coincided with that of Myawaddy's one stop facility for trade, customs and
immigration.
Col Min Hla Aung, head of Burma's Border Trade Department, presided at the
opening of the centre on 50 rai along the Asia Highway.
Also present were Chatchaval Sukijvanich, deputy permanent secretary for
commerce, Governor Huekharn Tomornsak of Tak, Panithi Tangphati, chairman
of the Tak Chamber of Commerce, and Col Ne Win, Commander of Burma's 44th
Infantry Division.
After the ceremony, Thai and Burmese representatives discussed trade at a
meeting co-chaired by Mr Chatchaval and Col Ne Win in Myawaddy.
Mr Chatchaval proposed the establishment of Thai-Burmese border trade
coordinatint agency to meet at three times a year.
Mr Panithi proposed Burma lift and import ban on cattle, Jewellery, wood
products and marine animals, and allow Thais to travel to Rangoon and
Moulmein through the checkpoint.
The ban, he said, had led to the smuggling of cattle from Thailand to Burma
and both countries had lost revenue for 30 years.
On Nov 28, 1997, Rangoon suspended border trade in Myawaddy pending
improvements to its border trade system. The friendship bridge closed early
this year.

2): Rangoon to consider releasing 86 Thais
Chettha in farewell call on junta leader

Burma's State Peace and Development Council First Secretary Khin Nyunt has
agreed to consider the Thai Army's request for Rangoon to release 86 Thai
prisoners currently jailed here.
Thai Army Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro quoted Gen Khin Nyunt as saying
Burmese military authorities would have to look at the list of the Thai
prisoners before being able to say if all could be freed since some were
punished for serious crimes.
The two military leaders met for an hour to discuss bilateral matters. Gen
Chettha said Gen Khin Nyunt had promised to come up with an answer about
the fate of the 86 by tomorrow before his return to Thailand.
In addition, the Burmese authorities were also considering freeing an other
10 Thai prisoners currently detained in the Burmese township of Kengtung
opposite northern Thailand.
Gen Chetta pledged yesterday that he would continue to make use of his
close ties with the Burmese military leaders to help foster better
relationship between Thailand and Burma after his retirement.

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