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NEWS - Arrests Not Embassy-Related



Myanmar: Arrests Not Embassy-Related

 .c The Associated Press

 BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Myanmar denied Sunday that the arrest of 24
Thai gamblers inside its territory was related to the recent takeover of
the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, an incident that heightened tensions
between the neighboring countries.

The Thais, along with seven Myanmar nationals, were arrested last Friday
at a casino in the Myanmar township of Kawthaung, according to an
official Myanmar statement received in Bangkok.

``They were arrested for breaching the gambling act and appropriate
legal action shall be taken against all those involved irrespective of
nationality,'' the faxed statement said. ``It has nothing to do with the
embassy incident.''

It was not clear what gambling act the 31 arrested gamblers could have
violated since the casino has been given official permission to operate
and thousands of Thais have flocked there to try their luck.

Tensions between the two countries escalated following the takeover of
the embassy earlier this month by five militants opposed to Myanmar's
military regime. Myanmar officials, upset that the raiders were allowed
to go free, closed border checkpoints with Thailand and suspended
fishing rights in Myanmar waters for Thai vessels.

Thailand has taken steps to monitor the movements of some 3,000 Myanmar
student activists who have sought refuge in the country and to speed up
efforts to resettle them in third countries. But Thai Prime Minister
Chuan Leekpai said Saturday the student exiles would not be forced to
leave Thailand against their will.

AP-NY-10-24-99 0752EDT