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

Chavalit faces flak for Burma visit





16 May 1997 
The Nation 
Chavalit faces flak for Burma visit 

PRIME Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh leaves this morning on a two-day official 
visit to Burma amid strong domestic and foreign opposition to his talks with 
an ''illegitimate" Burmese regime. 

Unlike other official trips where Chavalit has been accompanied by a big 
entourage of leading businessmen and investors, none have been officially 
included in the delegation to Burma, said Boonchong Weesommai, the premier's 
secretary-general. 

Boonchong, though, did not rule out the possibility that major investors in 
Burma, as well as those who are eyeing certain potential economic projects, 
might make their own way to Rangoon. 

The secretary-general said only the presidents of the Federation of Thai 
Industries, the Board of Trade and the Thai Bankers Association were 
travelling with Chavalit. 

Although the Burmese junta has allowed about 10 selected Thai journalists to 
follow the premier, the group has been warned only to cover Chavalit's 
itinerary and not to seek meetings or interviews with Burmese pro-democracy 
leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 

Defending Slorc's decision, Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn said it was 
''the sovereign right of each country" to impose such restrictions. Foreign 
Ministry Spokesman Surapong Jayanaman said it is widely known that Slorc has, 
for quite a while now, only allowed residents of University Avenue to use the 
road. 

''Each country has its own sovereign right to introduce rules and regulations 
it deems appropriate to control the media. Whether the media from a democratic 
system agrees or not, it is up to the journalists to express their own views 
and opinions," Surapong said. 

Chavalit's agenda has not been publicly disclosed, but official sources said 
the former Army chief, who is the first foreign dignitary to break the 
international isolation after Slorc seized state power in a September 1988 
bloody coup, would mainly concentrate on bilateral economic cooperation. 

During separate meetings with Slorc leaders Gen Than Shwe and Lt Gen Khin 
Nyunt, the Thai premier will assure the Burmese regime of Thailand's unfailing 
support at a time when Burma is facing tough US economic sanctions. 

He is expected to express Thailand's support for Burma's membership to Asean 
and offer to help improve a road from the Thai-Burmese bridge across the Moei 
River to Rangoon. 

He will also express his strong support for Thai investors' activities in 
Burma, as well as urging Slorc to facilitate the entry of Thai investors into 
the country. 

Apart from witnessing the signing of a border crossing agreement, Chavalit is 
expected to discuss the possibility of the two countries cooperating in the 
development of several deep-sea ports in southern Burma's Tenasserim division. 
The ports will mean shorter routes for Europe-bound shipments of Thai products 
as they would not have to use the Malacca Strait. 

Among other issues, the premier will seek cooperation to deal with about 
700,000 illegal Burmese immigrants in Thailand and urge the regime to reform 
the dual foreign exchange rate for the kyat.