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Burma plan runs into Thai protest
- Subject: Burma plan runs into Thai protest
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 03 Oct 1998 05:42:00
October 3, 1998
BORDER
Burma plan runs
into Thai protest
Over fishing rights at disputed islands
Ranong provincial authorities recently protested to Burma through the
Burma-Thailand Regional Border Committee over Burma's plan to
grant a fishing concession to a Malaysian firm over three small
disputed islands off the coast of Ranong.
Deputy Ranong governor Boonchuay Kerdsukhon, on behalf of the
governor, reportedly filed the protest letter to the Burmese side
through the local border dialogue mechanism following Burma's
repeated claim on Thursday over Koh Ganga, Koh Nok, and Koh
Kan, provincial sources said.
The two neighbours have claimed rights over the
less-than-one-square-kilometre area since the reign of King Rama IV.
Negotiations have never caused positive results in demarcation,
leaving the three islands undeveloped and untouched by both
countries.
Ranong province said its counterpart province Kawthaung in Burma
could not just claim the rights with the British-made map and allow a
Malaysian firm to exploit the area for the benefits of fisheries, said the
local sources.
Any rights justifications must be made through the joint task force, said
the Ranong officials.
The military joint border committee at the provincial level also filed a
similar protest letter to the Burmese authorities saying that the Thai
military map shows the three islands belonging to the Thai territory.
The Ministry of the Interior and Foreign Ministry have yet to be
informed of the local movement.
"We have to check it first before seeking clarification or proceed to
any higher-level protest. But in principle, the contentious points are
purely technical," a Foreign Ministry official said.
Meanwhile, more than 3,000 Karen refugees being sheltered in Ban
Nai Soi will soon be moved to two Muang district camps to prevent
further forest destruction in the area.
Mae Hong Son Governor Samrerng Boonyopakorn who heads the
provincial border command centre said officials had agreed with a
plan to transfer 3,176 Burmese refugees from Ban Nai Soi camp to
Ban Pang Kwai and Ban Pang camps in Muang District instead of Ban
Mae Surin shelter in Khun Yuam District as earlier agreed due to
budget constraints.
The refugees have been accused by Ban Nai Sai villagers of stealing
their agricultural produce, encroaching on their land, destroying forests
and polluting the stream in the area, he said.
According to him, the relocation operation will be directed by the chief
of Muang district.
After their relocation, the refugees will be barred from leaving their
shelters and face repatriation if they refuse to obey orders, Mr
Samrerng said.
In another development, the Thai embassy in Rangoon reportedly
announced that only four Thai logging firms have been allowed by
Rangoon to import logs from Burma through five border passes in
Mae Hong Son until December 31, 1998.
Burma's Commerce Ministry has also imposed a ban on log exports
through three border checkpoints in Kawthaung, Myawaddy and
Tachilek.
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© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 1998
Last Modified: Sat, Oct 3, 1998
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