[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

AFP-Thailand ready to aid Myanmar i



Subject: AFP-Thailand ready to aid Myanmar in talks with ethnic minorities

Thailand ready to aid Myanmar in talks with ethnic minorities
BANGKOK, Aug 8 (AFP) - Thailand will help Myanmar cut deals with its warring
ethnic minorities if the junta agrees to reach settlements through peaceful
negotiation, Thai army chief General Surayud Chulanond said in an interview
published Sunday.
The offer follows a recent Thai military sweep of suspected drug trafficking
routes used by ethnic insurgents on Thailand's northern border with Myanmar.

"We would like to propose to the Burmese government that the best way to
solve the problem with the minority groups is to negotiate," Surayud said in
the Bangkok Post interview.

He said if the junta could negotiate an end to its conflict with Karen
National Union and Karrenni rebels, it would create a more stable
environment in which Thailand could play a role.

"If they can solve that kind of conflict we will be able to assist in trying
to help the Burmese negotiate a settlement with every ethnic minority
group," he added.

Karen and Karrenni make up the bulk of the roughly 100,000 Myanmar refugees
who have fled fighting and are now living in camps on the Thai side of the
border.

Drug trafficking by some insurgent groups, along with refugee flows and
regular border incursions by both rebels and junta troops, have been an
ongoing source of tension between Bangkok and Yangon.

Surayud declined to comment on whether Myanmar's military was actively
aiding ethnic Wa insurgents in their drug trafficking operations, but said
the junta appeared to be tolerating their activities.

"We don't have any idea about what exactly the true nature of their
relationship is. We believe they have an understanding for an autonomous
zone," he said.

Thai officials have said heroin and amphetamines were being produced by the
Myanmar-based United Wa State Army (UWSA), an ethnic group which signed a
peace deal with the junta several years ago in exchange for a sort of
autonomy.

Myanmar is repeatedly accused of being a major producer of heroin and
amphetamines and is a regular near the top of the US government lists of
"narco-states" along with Afghanistan.

About 800 troops from Thailand's crack 17th infantry task force have
conducted a sweep of the border area in an effort to seal it and stop the
flow of narcotics from UWSA refineries in Shan State.

The remote border areas of Thailand and Myanmar, which form part of the
notorious Golden Triangle opium growing region, have for decades been a
battle ground for drug warlords and communist freedom fighters.

Myanmar's junta on Friday blasted as "totally baseless and false"
allegations that it is involved in drug trafficking following the launch of
the Thai anti-narcotics offensive.

Officials called a special press conference to denounce allegations Yangon
was involved in the drugs trade and was supporting notorious former drug
lord Khun Sa.