Junta isolated for hostile reaction

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Subject: Junta isolated for hostile reaction to Seige Breakthrough - Nation - October 12, 1999

This is hot! With unprecedented daily developments, the embassy incident
pushes the junta's back to the wall...Isnt it time that the junta end
its violence. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's vision and patience are bearing
fruit. For the junta, life is getting very lonely. ds

> 
> THE NATION - October 12, 1999
> Asean praises Bangkok for handling of siege
> 
> AMID growing border tension between Burma and Thailand over the Burmese
> Embassy siege in Bangkok, Asean has uncharacteristically broken its silence
> by praising Bangkok's handling of the incident.
> 
> Permanent Secretary Saroj Chavanaviraj said Asean members commended
> Thailand's efforts in ending the crisis peacefully.
> 
> Saroj said the response was made at a working dinner of Asean senior
> officials on Sunday ahead a three-day meeting in Bangkok to prepare for the
> upcoming Asean summit in Manila.
> 
> He said Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad would send a letter to
> thank Thailand for ending the siege -- in which no one was hurt -- because
> one of the hostages was a Malaysian national.
> 
> Asean traditionally does not comment on bilateral problems or domestic
> affairs of its members.
> 
> The praise from Asean on the issue is seen as a break from tradition and
> will bolster Thailand's position in negotiating a resolution to the current
> border tension with Burma.
> 
> Five heavily-armed Burmese dissidents stormed the embassy on Oct 1, holding
> 38 hostages at gunpoint and preventing 51 others from leaving the embassy
> compound.
> 
> Interior Minister Sanan Kachornprasart had angered Rangoon when he referred
> to the five hostage-takers as ''students fighting for democracy''. The five
> were given their freedom in return for releasing the hostages.
> 
> Ten charges have since been filed against the five militants.
> 
> The National Security Council has also sought cooperation from UN High
> Commissioner for Refugees to find a third country to accept exiled Burmese
> students who are living in Thailand.
> 
> Burma has sealed all three land border checkpoints with Thailand, citing
> security reasons. Shortly after the siege, Rangoon cancelled all fishing
> licences with Thai vessels. It claimed it wanted to review the
> licence-issuing system.
> 
> Although Rangoon praised Thailand for a quick and peaceful settlement to the
> crisis, it also used state-controlled media and unofficial statements to
> attack Bangkok, sending confusing signals to the Thai government.
> 
> The Burmese junta also reportedly dispatched thousands of troops to the
> border near where armed rebel groups are positioned. The threatened
> offensive could send thousands of civilians flooding over the border into
> Thailand.
> 
> Nyunt Maung Shein, Burmese director general for Political Affairs
> Department, said yesterday he told Asean colleagues at the dinner that the
> Burmese government expressed its appreciation for the speedy end to the
> embassy siege.
> 
> However, Burma told the gathering that those involved were not students but
> terrorists, Nyunt told The Nation.
> 
> Nyunt said the two countries have mechanisms such as border and township
> committees to discuss the current border situation.
> 
> He did not say how long the border would be closed.
> 
> Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai held a meeting with Supreme
> Commander Gen Mongkok Ampornphisit for an update on the situation along the
> border.
> 
> There is no indication whether Thailand will send a mission to Rangoon to
> help ease tension.
> 
> However, Chuan reportedly instructed Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan to
> cancel a planned visit to Egypt and remain in Thailand to help monitor the
> situation.
> 
> According to Gen Mongkol, the border is currently not a big concern.
> However, he said the Thai army has been on full alert to prevent possible
> incursions following reports that Burmese troops had massed in the area
> opposite Ratchaburi.
> 
> Chuan would today send a letter to Rangoon reflecting Thailand's wish to see
> the current situation return to normal as soon as possible, said Foreign
> Ministry's spokesman Don Pramuwinai.
> 
> The prime minister has criticised Burma for sending mixed signals over the
> embassy siege as the junta leaders sent thank-you notes while officials and
> media condemned the handling of the crisis.
> 
> ''The Foreign Minister must try to explain to Burma that what we did is
> internationally understood and acceptable,'' Don said.
> 
> Chuan raised no objections to a proposal from coalition partner, the Chart
> Thai Party, for talks between Thailand and Burmese ministers of agriculture
> to settle the Burmese suspension of Thai fishing licences.
> 
> The Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Pongpol Adireksarn, will
> attend an Asean meeting of agricultural ministers later this month where he
> could have opportunity to talk to his Burmese counterpart on the fishing
> problems.
> 
> Vitthaya Khunpraum, Pongpol's secretary said the minister would try to
> contact Rangoon today to discuss the possibility for talks on the resumption
> of Thai fishing licences.
> 
> He said several attempts to get through to his Burmese counterpart failed.
> 
> Vichien Techapaiboon, president of Thai Chamber of Commerce, urged the
> government to quickly solve licence problems.
> 
> He said the revoking of fishing licences by Burma was a temporary but harsh
> measure.
> 
> Meanwhile, Don said Rangoon released five more Thai prisoners from its
> prisons at the request of the Thai government in commemoration of the 72nd
> anniversary of His Majesty the King on December 5.
> 
> The same request has also been made to other Asean countries.
> 
> ''Despite the present situation, Burma has agreed to release more Thai
> prisoners in addition to the 67 it agreed to free earlier,'' Don said.
> 
> He said the release of the prisoners showed that Rangoon separated the
> current border problems from overall bilateral relations.
> 
> Don hinted Burma's closure of the border and scrapping of Thai fishing
> licences may not have been initiated by Rangoon but local army officers.
> 
> He did not elaborate.
> 
> ''Rangoon understood the way Thailand handled the hostage crisis but some
> Burmese army officers who oversee border did not,'' Don said.
> 
> He expected the closing of the checkpoints and the cancellation of fishing
> licences would not last long as it was not in the best interests of either
> country.
> 
> ------------------------
> THE NATION - October 12, 1999
> 
> Editorial & Opinion
> 
> THINK THAI: Thailand must stay put on Burma
> 
> IT was a blessing in disguise that the Burmese junta leaders did not
> appreciate Thailand's peaceful settlement of the recent Burmese embassy
> siege. Rangoon has shown its truest colour. Thai leaders have now realised
> they should not entertain any illusion that their Burmese counterparts are
> capable of conducting diplomacy within the context of regional and
> international norms.
> 
> It is sad that the discussion in Bangkok following the siege was
> disheartening and focused on comments made by opposition parties, especially
> the New Aspiration Party. Most of them were rubbish and showed how veteran
> Thai politicians continue to indulge in diatribes without looking beyond
> their myopic views.
> 
> The Chuan Government must count itself as fortunate because it has full
> international support vis-a-vis the pariah state of Burma, dreaded and
> isolated by the world. It has been a long-standing policy of Thai
> governments to promote border trade. But so far the most troubled spots have
> exclusively concentrated on the 2,400 km Thai-Burmese border.
> 
> Throughout modern Thai-Burmese relations, Thailand has constantly been held
> hostage by Burma mainly for two reasons: the desire to trade and exploit
> Burmese natural and maritime resources and the lack of consensus among the
> Thai authorities in dealing with Burma.
> 
> Whenever there were divisions within Thai society, outside enemies would not
> miss any opportunity to use these weaknesses to their advantage. Burma's
> victory over Ayudhya was a good case in point. It was due to internal
> bickering and lack of solidarity among the Thais.
> 
> Unlike the first Chuan administration and other previous governments, the
> present policy towards Burma is firmer and flexible enough to sustain
> bilateral deals. After one year of trying to accommodate the Burmese regime,
> the government has toughened its position as its international stature
> grows.
> 
> It is firmer because of the better coordination among the authorities
> concerned in the central and provincial areas. Decision makers from the
> Interior Ministry, Foreign Ministry, the army and the National Security
> Council are in tune with the Foreign Ministry-led policy.
> 
> Without the like-minded or Democrat-dominated decision makers, the embassy
> siege could have easily turned into a fiasco as the authorities concerned,
> representing different coalition parties, would inevitably fight over the
> approach. The fact that the hostage drama took only less than 25 hours to
> resolve was testimony to the commonality of approach, admittedly rare in the
> Thai bureaucracy.
> 
> Prior to the appointment of Gen Surayut Julanond as army chief, Burma was
> effective in using divide-and-rule tactics with maximum exposure and
> engagement with the Thai army. They often gave the army carrots and used
> sticks with the Foreign Ministry.
> 
> Literally speaking, since the 1988 military crackdown on democratic forces,
> the Thai army leaders have been on good terms with the junta leaders.
> Attempting to compensate waning political influence, past army leaders have
> sought to augment their influence along the 5,000km stretch of Thai border.
> Doubtless, their interests clashed with the national interest.
> 
> Gen Surayut has since changed the pattern of engagement of the security
> apparatus all along the border, particularly their involvement in border
> trade and business. Army officials have been asked to stay away from
> business deals and to focus on security matters.
> 
> Burma's malicious attacks were uncalled for and represented another attempt
> to divide Thais. It is no longer easy. Junta leaders are trying,
> unsuccessfully, to use the growing dissatisfaction towards the Chuan
> Government over domestic issues to its advantage as if the current state of
> Thai-Burmese ties were the outcome of this unpopularity. Certain newspapers
> mistakenly chose to play the Burmese tune.
> 
> With a new general election in the offing early next year, the Burmese
> regime probably thinks the current Thai foreign policy would not hold with
> an incoming new government. That might partially be true. But the political
> transformation in the past two years has ensured that whoever heads the next
> government must pursue the same policy guideline emphasising democratic
> principles and the respect of human rights.
> 
> The Chuan Government has made clear that Thailand is not the cause of the
> embassy hostage-taking. Make no mistake, it is a Burmese problem caused by
> their own disregard for democracy. The Burmese generals are the ones who
> have held the whole Burmese nation as perpetual hostage. As long as
> political oppression and violation of human rights continue, democratic
> forces outside Burma will continue to use every possible means to highlight
> the true nature of the Rangoon regime.
> 
> The siege has strengthened the Thai resolve not to waver, especially when
> Burma unilaterally closes down border trading posts or gives up bilateral
> contracts and cooperation. Ways must be found to make Thailand less
> dependent on Burma's natural resources. Alternative fishing cooperation with
> other countries must be seriously explored.
> 
> Finally, as the chairman of Asean, Thailand will be busy in the year to come
> in improving the grouping's credibility and economic potential to the world.
> In so doing for the Asean interest, it does not have to put up with Burma's
> growing intransigence. The best way to deal with Burma is to stay put and
> patiently wait and see whose side time is on.
> 
> The more contempt shown by the Burmese junta, the more solidarity is
> required from the Thai government and its people.
> 
> BY KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN
> 
> ----------------------------
> THE NATION - October 12, 1999
> 
> Mailbag
> 
> Don't blame the UNHCR for all the refugees
> 
> I WOULD like to add my voice to those praising the way the Thai government
> handled the recent situation at the Burmese Embassy. The problem was solved
> with nobody harmed in any way, except maybe a little loss of face by the
> illegal dictatorship next door.
> 
> It is surprising, however, that the Thai government is now pointing the
> finger at the UNHCR, calling on them to resettle the students in a third
> country. To those who have been involved with the refugee community, it is a
> well-known fact that it is the Thai government which has consistently
> prevented the UNHCR from fulfilling its protection mandate since the
> beginning of the Burmese crisis in 1998. To this day, the UNHCR does not
> have access to refugees along the southern border with the Mon State.
> 
> It should also be pointed out that while resettlement is a possible option
> for the Burmese, it is an impractical suggestion in light of the number of
> refugees who have been on ''hold'' these many years when compared to the
> limited number of resettlement slots made available throughout the world.
> The other two options, as mentioned in the Geneva Convention on refugees, is
> repatriation when safe and freely chosen, or integration into the country of
> asylum.
> 
> Repatriation will only be possible when the government of Burma changes and
> democracy finally prevails; but the Thai government has done everything in
> its power to support and prop up the dictatorship with an ineffectual policy
> misnamed ''constructive engagement''. Since nothing ''constructive'' has
> occurred in Burma for many, many years, perhaps Thailand should rethink this
> policy now, and work towards real change in Burma. Then repatriation might
> be a real option.
> 
> Integration into the country of asylum is a concept which the government
> rarely, if ever, mentions. It would mean issuing identity cards to the
> Burmese, and allowing them to live and work as normal people. It would mean
> no longer classifying them as ''illegal aliens'' who can be employed at
> below minimum wages, denied medical, legal and educational rights, shaken
> down by police for bribes, etc. In light of the labour shortage we have been
> reading about lately, the option may make some sense. Of course it would
> offend the Slorc (changed to SPDC) goons, but really, who cares?
> 
> When the Thai government calls upon the UNHCR to change its policy, it
> should look carefully at itself, and the failed foreign policy with its
> neighbour Burma. Maybe some changes should take place there, rather than
> trying to scapegoat the UNHCR.
> 
> Angus MacGillivary
> 
> SUKHUMVIT BANGKOK
> 
> ------------------------------
> THE NATION - October 12, 1999
> 
> Mailbag
> 
> Closure has led to prostitution
> 
> IT IS very shameful of the Burmese military junta that the closure of
> universities and colleges has given growth to prostitution in Burma -- more
> so than in Thailand. We Burmese wonder how dare the junta's mouthpiece, the
> New Light of Myanmar has written that ''the act of permitting prostitution
> is adequate as manifestation of a free democratic state in Thailand''
> without visiting Thailand and also without the circumstantial evidence of
> Thai culture and society.
> 
> We would like to request Agence France-Presse which wrote this news under
> the heading ''Thai credentials blasted'' in The Nation dated Oct 9, 1999,
> kindly investigate all the nightclubs at Theingyi Zay supermarket building
> in Rangoon. Existing hotels which are built under the system of
> ''Built-Operate-Transfer'' within 30 years day-by-day are becoming
> prostitution centres which are officially allowed by the junta's officials.
> 
> There is a Burmese saying, ''If you point one finger to someone, the other
> four fingers are pointing at you''.
> 
> Tun Mra Aung
> 
> SUKHUMVIT BANGKOK
> 
> --------------------------