Burma must be held to account

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

February 20, 1999  
Burma must be held to account
The Burmese junta is on a public relations campaign. It is showing its kinder,
gentler face to Thailand and the world. The government has encouraged Burma to
moderate its policies, and is trying to work with Rangoon to make our seas
safer for fishermen. Behind the scenes, Burma continues its violent ways.



The foreign minister of Burma, Win Aung, is in Thailand on a two-day visit.
The
trip is putting heavy stress on the positive, and pushing the negative into
the
background. This is all very well for a short period. It may even be possible
to come to some workable understandings with Burma on troublesome bilateral
problems ranging from border fighting to trade. It will be far more difficult
to forge meaningful policies for the future.

Win Aung and Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan have spent much of the short
visit
together in the South. Late last week, Army commander Gen Surayud Chulanont
visited Burma for three days on much the same mission, to ease tensions after
the sea clashes. Off the coast of Ranong, there is a serious border
problem. In
recent weeks, Burmese gunboats have shot up several Thai fishing vessels.
It is
only a matter of luck that the casualties have been limited to one wounded
Thai
man. The ensuing Thai-Burma naval standoffs have held even more dangers, up to
and including the threat of armed conflict between our countries.

It is encouraging that the Burmese minister wants to discuss this problem.
Burma has long denied that the Ranong-Burma sea border is unclear, and has
been
generally unfriendly and arrogant about the problem. Rangoon has long insisted
that Thailand must accept Burmese claims in the area. Thailand has made few
ownership demands.

Thailand has pointed out the simple fact that there are two sets of maps that
overlay that area, fomenting the dangerous situation. Thailand says, in
effect,
there is a problem that should be discussed. Burma seems to be indicating,
through minister Win Aung, that it now - however reluctantly - agrees with
that
rather simple statement.


Minister Win Aung's visit is far too short to deal with the many and varied
problems and differences between Burma and Thailand. Mr Surin is expected to
bring up the narcotics question. The foreign ministry has taken a curious tack
with Burma over drugs. It has praised two rather minor drug seizures of heroin
and of amphetamines in northern Burma.

In the process it has chosen to overlook the egregious Burmese actions on
drugs. While there is little doubt that drugs trafficking is out of control in
Burma, there is also no question that Burmese authorities support part of the
trade in several different ways. Prime Minister Chuan, more forthrightly than
the foreign ministry, has stressed the dangers to our security from Burmese
drugs and traffickers.

Thailand will attend next week's curious Interpol conference on heroin in
Rangoon, while the US and most of Europe will boycott it. This illustrates the
huge rift that has opened between the EU and Asean over Burma. Hugely
important
trade, currency, economic and political matters are being delayed because
Europe and Asean can't even sit down for a discussion.

Burma continues its rogue behaviour, to the detriment of its neighbours and
the
world. In recent months, it has won notice for releasing several well-known
dissidents from prison. These men and women are totally cowed and refuse to
speak. In the meantime, authorities have relentlessly and shamelessly pursued
younger dissidents and democracy advocates.

One was jailed for owning illegal foreign currency - two Singapore coins found
in a police search of a child's toys. U Yaw Hsi, 51, was sentenced to five and
a half years at hard labour for blatantly trumped-up drug charges. Hundreds of
supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi have been given a choice: Quit her political
group or face harassment and prison.

Burma will introduce a constitution this year and hold elections in 2000.
Thailand, and Asean, must hold Rangoon accountable in both cases. It is not
enough that Burma introduce some of the trappings of democracy and freedom. In
its bilateral relations with Thailand, and in its political reform, Burma must
prove substance, not form.
   
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Last Modified: Sat, Feb 20, 1999
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