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BKK Post, Mar: 24, Call to evaluate



Call to evaluate Burma

Bhanravee Tansubhapol

Thailand will ask Asean to evaluate Burma's membership after DKBA attacks on refugee camps on Thai soil, Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said yesterday.
   Thailand believes the Association of Southeast Asian Nations should evaluate the progress made by new members Burma and Laos in July, the first anniversary of there joining the grouping.
    "We hope that after a year's membership of Asean, Burma will have made some progress in resolving its internal problems," he said.
   "If the conflict along the Thai-Burmese border continues, it will lower the credibility and value of Asean," the minister said.
     The Foreign Ministry is working with the Thai military and the Burmese government  to seek an end to the violation of Thai soil.
   Border problems and trade issues will be discussed during the April 7-8 visit to Rangoon by Deputy FM Sukhumbhand Paribatra and Deputy Commerce Minister Potipong Lamsam, he said.