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Bkk Post-Thais call for measures to



Subject: Bkk Post-Thais call for measures to stop row escalation

Thais call for measures to stop row escalation
Surin in telephone call with Win Aung

Thailand yesterday called for interim measures to prevent an escalation of
conflicts at sea with neighbouring Burma after a Thai trawler was shot at by
a Burmese naval ship.

Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan proposed the measures in his telephone
contact with his Burmese counterpart Win Aung following the incident on
Sunday, a Foreign Ministry source said.

The ministry also urged the two countries to exercise restraint in order not
to let tensions disrupt a forthcoming border meeting.

Thailand will host the Regional Border Committee talks in Phuket next month.
Thailand has proposed joint patrols in the disputed area and the setting up
of a Burmese liaison office in Ranong.

Ministry deputy spokesman Kitti Wasinondh warned that trawlers had to be
extremely cautious and stay away from trying to fish in the disputed area.

Conflicts at sea are expected to be an issue when the Burmese foreign
minister visits Thailand this month. Burmese Prime Minister Than Shwe plans
to visit the country early next month.

A Thai navy ship was called to help after a Thai trawler in Thai territorial
waters was fired at by a vessel sailing in Burmese waters off the coast of
southwestern Thailand on Saturday, a navy statement said.

By the time two Thai navy vessels had arrived at the scene a second Burmese
vessel was also there, the statement added.

Mr Kitti said the incident was being investigated in the light of a spate of
similar confrontations in recent months.

"We are collecting information because we know only that Burmese boats
chased Thai fishing boats and the Thai navy helped," he said.

"We are looking for the report on the cause of the incident. If they
(Burmese boats) violated our maritime territory we will be able to do
something."