Nation; Thailand opposes ILO action

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Subject: Nation; Thailand opposes ILO action against Burma


Local & Politics 

Thailand opposes ILO action against Burma

THAILAND hopes the International Labour Organisation's latest resolution
against Burma will not result in the country's further isolation from the
international community, Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said yesterday. 
Surin said Thailand understood that the resolution that would bar Rangoon from
ILO assistance and ILO meetings was the expression of other countries against
Burma's forced labour practices. 

''Understanding that the resolution shows how the international community
feels
about Burma, we [however] hope that it would not result in Burma's
isolation,''
Surin said. 

The 174-nation ILO had recently adopted a resolution in its annual meeting
proclaiming that it was appalled by the continued widespread use of forced
labour, including for work on infrastructure projects and as porters for the
army. 
The members agreed that Burma will be prohibited from any ILO assistance and
would not be allowed to attend ILO meetings. 

Asean countries participating in the meeting objected to the resolution, which
was passed by 133-47 votes. 
Asean has adopted a constructive-engagement approach towards Burma, which
rejects sanctions against the country but provides an opportunity for it to
re-join the world community. 

Surin added that Rangoon has already instructed villages and communities to
stop the forced labour. 

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Don Pramudwinai said that the
resolution,
which is considered a punishment for Burma, would isolate the country. 
''To isolate Burma from the world community could possibly lead to an adverse
outcome. Instead of granting Burma an opportunity to witness other countries'
activities, like Asean's constructive-engagement policy does, the ILO
resolution has done the opposite,'' Don stated. 
Burma has been at the heart of controversy as its military junta refuses to
hand over rule to the opposition, which won elections in 1990. The junta has
also been criticised for not doing anything to stop the forced labour. The
European Union has already placed a ban on the junta leaders' visits. 
Don confirmed that Rangoon has issued regulations banning forced labour. 

''Asean is different from the West. Asean's constructive-engagement policy
requires that one must be patient with the country,'' Don said. 

Thailand disagrees with forced labour, but it believes that more time and
more
patience are required when dealing with Burma, Don added. 

BY MARISA CHIMPRABHA 
The Nation