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BKK POST: Surin urges Burma to spe
- Subject: BKK POST: Surin urges Burma to spe
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1998 21:33:00
August 14, 1998
Surin urges Burma
to speed up action
against detained
Minister seeks faster solution to problem
Suebpong Unarat and Mongkol Bangprapa
Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan has called on Burma to speed up
legal action against the 18 detained foreign activists.
Mr Surin disclosed the news when he addressed representatives of the
Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development yesterday.
The representatives submitted a letter through him to the prime
minister asking the government to take action to secure the release of
the three Thais.
Mr Surin said the foreign ministry had coordinated with the Burmese
government from the beginning and had asked it to speed up the
interrogation and legal process.
The Burmese ambassador to Thailand said there were still problems
with some of the non-Thai activists who had refused to provide
information when asked.
"I told [the ambassador] it would be good for all concerned if all
procedures can be finished as soon as possible.
"There are many other issues to be jointly dealt with in a constructive
way. He said my suggestion would be taken for consideration," Mr
Surin said.
On the same day, the Asia Forum for Human Rights and
Development, led by human rights lawyer Thongbai Thongpao and
Phipop Thongchai, submitted a letter to the parliament president,
opposition leader and other officials asking them to take steps to
secure the release of the three Thais.
The human rights advocates also submitted a letter to Prime Minister
Chuan Leekpai urging his government and other members of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations to push for the unconditional
release of all 18 activists.
Meanwhile, New Aspiration and opposition leader Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh suggested the government coordinate with the army
chief to secure the release of the three Thais.
He said the government should assign Army Chief Gen Chettha
Thanajaro to hold negotiations with Burmese authorities.
Gen Chettha, who is known to have close ties with top Rangoon
military figures, has secured the release of Thais arrested by Burmese
officials on several occasions.
The former prime minister expressed confidence the army chief would
help solve the problem and free the three activists.
The detained Thais are: Jaran Dithapichai, 51, a Rangsit University
lecturer and member of the Union for Civil Liberties; Sawat Uppahad,
37, of the Forum of the Poor and Chanakan Pandermvongse, 22, of
the Student Federation of Thailand. They were arrested along with 15
other foreigners last Sunday for handing out leaflets urging a return of
democracy.
The detainees have not been charged formally but the junta accused
them of attempting to incite unrest.
Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra said Mr
Chuan has expressed concern over the arrest of the Thai people and
has asked the foreign ministry to closely follow up the case.
M.R. Sukhumbhand said he received reports from the Thai
ambassador in Rangoon that the three Thais were in good health and
had received proper treatment from Burmese authorities.
Asked why the Thai government did not join other countries in calling
for the release of the detainees, the deputy foreign minister said the
government wanted Burma to clear the problem first, adding it was a
diplomatic etiquette to respect another country's ability to settle
problems within its own borders.
© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 1998
Last Modified: Fri, Aug 14, 1998
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