Fisheries deal still incomplete

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Fisheries deal still incomplete

Must be ready before Chettha's Burma trip

Wassana Nanuam
Feb. 14, 1998
Bangkok Post

A joint fisheries proposal, scheduled for submission to Army
Commander-in-Chief Chettha Thanajaro on Tuesday for talks with Burmese
authorities early next month, has not yet been completed.

An Army source said the Agriculture Ministry's working group to draft the
joint Thai-Burmese fisheries proposal and representatives from concerned
agencies met on Tuesday, but could not reach a conclusion on two points of
the proposal. They agreed to further consultations.

The first issue is what organisation will be responsible for coordinating
with Burma for joint fisheries projects.

The second is about the conditions of the proposal concerning the sharing
of profits, controlling measures and the main currency to be used for these
projects.

According to the source, the Army wants the proposal to be completed by
next week so that it will have the proposal translated into English and
forward it to Burmese authorities for consideration before the start of the
meeting.

Gen Chettha said he was willing to unofficially negotiate with first
secretary of Burma's State Peace and Development Council Khin Nyunt to pave
the way for state-to-state agreements, but still awaits a conclusion on
joint fisheries from the Agriculture Ministry.

According to him, Burma demands limits on the number of fishing boats for
joint fisheries projects and good control of the trawlers.

The proposal is to be submitted to Gen Chettha for his meeting on
Thai-Burmese fisheries disputes with Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt during his visit to
Rangoon early next month.

Concerning a border dispute over the Manao Islet in Mae Sot District, the
army commander-in-chief said Thai and Burmese authorities can negotiate for
the withdrawal of troops from the islet in case of more stand-offs, and
will seek talks of both countries' technical committees based on border
treaties and
international law.