Bkk Post-Rights groups protest at j

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Subject: Bkk Post-Rights groups protest at junta chief's visit

NARCOTICS
Burma says it will join war on drugs
Rights groups protest at junta chief's visit

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and his Burmese counterpart Than Shwe yesterday
announced plans for a joint drug suppression effort, as human rights groups
turned out to protest against the visit of Gen Than Shwe.

In a joint communique, Mr Chuan and Gen Than Shwe announced the setting up
of a joint committee comprising anti-narcotics agencies, police and possibly
the military of both countries, in an effort to contain or destroy drug
production factories wherever the location.

However, the Burmese premier said the drug problem would take a long time to
resolve and spoke of his government's 15-year plan to eliminate narcotics
production. Mr Chuan expressed short-term concerns about cooperation to
eliminate factories along the border producing amphetamines for the Thai
drug market.

Regarding conflicts over border and territorial waters, the Regional Border
Committee of the two countries will soon discuss a joint patrol in the
Andaman Sea following recent naval clashes that have resulted in the death
of three Thais and a number of Burmese.

Mr Chuan also accepted an invitation from Burmese military strongman Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt, first secretary of the ruling State Peace and Development
Council, to visit Burma. No date has been set.

Meanwhile, human rights groups fiercely protested against the two-day visit
of Gen Than Shwe, who is chairman of the State Peace Development Council,
the military junta that has refused to hand over power to elected civilians
following the 1990 general election.

Forum-Asia, an umbrella organisation for 14 regional human rights and
development groups, called on the Chuan government to push for tripartite
negotiations between the ruling State Peace and Development Council, the
National League for Democracy of Aung San Suu Kyi and minority groups, and a
transfer of power from the SPDC to the NLD. It also urged the Chuan
government to take a tougher stand in support of democracy, human rights and
peace in Burma.

The group further called on the Thai government and its counterparts in
Asean to lead the Burmese leadership towards international practices in
human rights and democracy rather than let it use them as instruments for

enhancing its image and legitimacy.