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

History repeats itself...(Palestini



Subject: History repeats itself...(Palestinians and Burmese)

BURMESE EMBASSY SIEGE
History repeats itself
        Hostage crisis echoes Israeli embassy raidThe Burmese embassy crisis 
is a flashback to the 1972 hostage drama at the Israeli embassy engineered 
by the Black September Ali Taha terrorist group.Four Palestinian guerrillas 
stormed the embassy in Soi Lang Suan, off Ploenchit road, on Dec 28 and held 
six Israelis hostage including the then-Israeli ambassador to Cambodia.The 
terrorists threatened to shoot the hostages and blow up the embassy if their 
demand for the release of 36 Palestinians held in Israeli jails went 
unheeded. Police and army soldiers cordoned off the embassy while senior 
government officials led by Brig-Gen Chatichai Choonhavan, then deputy 
foreign minister, and ACM Dawee Chullasapaya, then chief-of-staff of the 
Supreme Command, tried to negotiate with the terrorists.
       Witnesses saw the four terrorists step out of a taxi and walk about 
in front of the embassy for a while before dashing to the front door of the 
building and smashing a glass panel to gain access to the compound at 
11.30am.Brig-Gen Chatichai managed to establish dialogue with the terrorists 
but was held back from entering the embassy building for fear he might end 
up another hostage.Police set up their operation command centre in the 
deserted Mater Dei Convent across from the embassy. They were later joined 
by a unit of paratroopers and riot police.The Mater Dei centre soon became a 
meeting point of top officials. The then Israeli ambassador, Rehavem Amir, 
travelled back and forth between his residence and the command centre where 
he was frequently seen conferring with the Egyptian ambassador and top Thai 
cabinet members.After lengthy talks with the terrorists, ACM Dawee announced 
that they were ready to free the hostages provided their safe passage from 
Thailand was guaranteed.
          A breakthrough came when the terrorists agreed to exchange the 
hostages with 10 Thai officials to guarantee their safe getaway.The 
terrorists chose to go to Cairo. A number of airlines were approached and 
Thai Airways International was eventually assigned to fly them to the 
Egyptian capital.
          The 18-hour drama ended with all the hostages being released 
unharmed. The terrorists were flown to Cairo along with the officials who 
volunteered to be their new hostages including Brig-Gen Chatichai, ACM Dawee 
and Egyptian Ambassador Moustafa el-Assawy.ACM Dawee later said in Cairo his 
appeals to the terrorists on behalf of His Majesty the King had saved the 
Israeli hostages from almost certain death.The embassy seizure coincided 
with one of Thailand's most auspicious days when HRH Prince Vajiralongkorn 
was bestowed his title crown. The terrorists later said their willingness to 
compromise with Thai authorities stemmed purely from the fact they had 
chosen the wrong day to strike.The terrorists added they hoped their release 
of the hostages would demonstrate their goodwill towards Thai people.After 
the crisis was over, Thailand was showered with words of praise, especially 
from the then-Israeli ambassador who lauded Thai authorities for "remaining 
so cool and well-organised during those difficult hours".Golda Meir, then 
Israeli prime minister, said the Thai government's action in securing the 
release of the hostages should serve as a model for other governments faced 
with similar circumstances.


© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 1999Last Modified: Sat, Oct 
2, 1999For comments and letters to the editor see : notesComments to: 
WebmasterAdvertisng enquiries to Internet Marketing


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com