[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
BP: Burma pledges aid in release o
- Subject: BP: Burma pledges aid in release o
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 03:02:00
March 31, 1998
BORDER / AFTERMATH OF KNU ATTACK
Burma pledges aid
in release of
abductees
Canberra summons, Thai, Burmese
envoys
Wassana Nanuam, Agencies
Burmese army strongman Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt has promised to
negotiate with Karen renegade rebels for the release of an
Australian aid worker and his Thai assistant.
An informed army source said that Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first
secretary of Burma's State Peace and Development Council,
promised Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro to
try to secure the release of Nick Cheesman, an employee of the
international organisation Burma Issues, and Ms Ngarmsuk
Rattanasathien, who were captured by Democratic Karen
Buddhist Army members last Friday.
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said it might take a couple of days before
the pair could be released, said the source.
Col Chatpat Yamngarmriab, commander of the 4th Infantry
Task Force, crossed the border yesterday to meet Cpt Nu Nu,
deputy commander of the DKBA forces, to discuss the
abduction of the pair and their release, the source added.
The source said the Thai colonel was told that the pair was not
abducted but were "invited" to witness the DKBA camp after it
was attacked by anti-Rangoon Karen National Union troops last
week.
The DKBA officer disclosed that both Mr Cheesman and Ms
Ngarmsuk were safe at Myaing Gyi Ngu temple, the DKBA
headquarters in Hlaingbwe, and they were expected to be
released this Thursday, said the source.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Kobsak Chutikul said Thai officials
have asked Burmese authorities to return the pair as soon as
possible.
Citing a report, Mr Kobsak said the DKBA maintains that the
two were not abducted but were shown round the site of a
devastated camp on the Burmese side.
In Canberra, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told
the parliament that Thai and Burmese ambassadors were called
to the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday to discuss the
abduction.
"This was an occasion for the government to register our
concerns in the strongest possible way," Mr Downer said. "And
we sought their assistance in working towards a safe release of
Mr Cheesman and his Thai colleague."
Australian officials had been unable to get first-hand reports of
Mr Cheesman's welfare, Mr Downer said, adding: "But we
understand that Mr Cheesman is as well as could be expected in
these difficult circumstances.
Mr Downer has ordered an Australian consular official from
Bangkok to head to the area. But negotiations for Mr
Cheesman's release were being handled by his employer, Burma
Issues, said Mr Downer.
Australian Embassy spokesman in Bangkok Peter Standord said
it appeared that the pair would be taken around DKBA bases to
take some photographs before they would be released.
© The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 1998
Contact the Bangkok Post
Web Comments: Webmaster
Last Modified: Tue, Mar 31, 1998