[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

Today Bkk-Post (12)



<html>
<font face="ARIAL" color="#800000"><b>BURMESE EMBASSY SIEGE<br>
</font><font size=7 color="#000000">History repeats itself<br>
</font></b><font size=5><i>Hostage crisis echoes Israeli embassy
raid<br>
</i><b>T</font></b><font size=3>he Burmese embassy crisis is a flashback
to the 1972 hostage drama at the Israeli embassy engineered by the Black
September Ali Taha terrorist group.<br>
Four Palestinian guerrillas stormed the embassy in Soi Lang Suan, off
Ploenchit road, on Dec 28 and held six Israelis hostage including the
then-Israeli ambassador to Cambodia.<br>
The terrorists threatened to shoot the hostages and blow up the embassy
if their demand for the release of 36 Palestinians held in Israeli jails
went unheeded. Police and army soldiers cordoned off the embassy while
senior government officials led by Brig-Gen Chatichai Choonhavan, then
deputy foreign minister, and ACM Dawee Chullasapaya, then chief-of-staff
of the Supreme Command, tried to negotiate with the terrorists.<br>
Witnesses saw the four terrorists step out of a taxi and walk about in
front of the embassy for a while before dashing to the front door of the
building and smashing a glass panel to gain access to the compound at
11.30am.<br>
Brig-Gen Chatichai managed to establish dialogue with the terrorists but
was held back from entering the embassy building for fear he might end up
another hostage.<br>
Police set up their operation command centre in the deserted Mater Dei
Convent across from the embassy. They were later joined by a unit of
paratroopers and riot police.<br>
The Mater Dei centre soon became a meeting point of top officials. The
then Israeli ambassador, Rehavem Amir, travelled back and forth between
his residence and the command centre where he was frequently seen
conferring with the Egyptian ambassador and top Thai cabinet
members.<br>
After lengthy talks with the terrorists, ACM Dawee announced that they
were ready to free the hostages provided their safe passage from Thailand
was guaranteed. A breakthrough came when the terrorists agreed to
exchange the hostages with 10 Thai officials to guarantee their safe
getaway.<br>
The terrorists chose to go to Cairo. A number of airlines were approached
and Thai Airways International was eventually assigned to fly them to the
Egyptian capital.<br>
The 18-hour drama ended with all the hostages being released unharmed.
The terrorists were flown to Cairo along with the officials who
volunteered to be their new hostages including Brig-Gen Chatichai, ACM
Dawee and Egyptian Ambassador Moustafa el-Assawy.<br>
ACM Dawee later said in Cairo his appeals to the terrorists on behalf of
His Majesty the King had saved the Israeli hostages from almost certain
death.<br>
The embassy seizure coincided with one of Thailand's most auspicious days
when HRH Prince Vajiralongkorn was bestowed his title crown. The
terrorists later said their willingness to compromise with Thai
authorities stemmed purely from the fact they had chosen the wrong day to
strike.<br>
The terrorists added they hoped their release of the hostages would
demonstrate their goodwill towards Thai people.<br>
After the crisis was over, Thailand was showered with words of praise,
especially from the then-Israeli ambassador who lauded Thai authorities
for &quot;remaining so cool and well-organised during those difficult
hours&quot;.<br>
Golda Meir, then Israeli prime minister, said the Thai government's
action in securing the release of the hostages should serve as a model
for other governments faced with similar circumstances. <br>
<br>
</font>
<BR>
</html>