[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
The Nation (13-12-99)
<html>
<font size=5><b>Minister cools Burma fears on embassy security<br>
</font></b><font face="arial" size=3>DEPUTY Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand
Paribatra yesterday shrugged off speculation that the Burmese Embassy in
Bangkok would be stormed again but said security measures have
nonetheless been stepped up. <br>
He described the security measures as ''fully satisfactory'' but stressed
that no authority can offer 100 per cent protection. <br>
''We have responded to the embassy's request for more security protection
after the incident. Both sides are satisfied with the security detail we
have provided for the embassy and its staff,'' Sukhumbhand said. <br>
He also downplayed reports that the Burmese dissidents who seized the
embassy on Oct 1 were planing to strike at Burmese government operations
in Thailand, stressing that ''the source of that report is not clear''.
<br>
On Thursday, the Associated Press released photographs showing two of the
five dissidents who raided the Burmese Embassy, at a camp in Burma's
Karen state, opposite Ratchaburi province. <br>
The group had stormed the embassy on Oct 1, taking hostages at gunpoint
and demanding the Burmese military regime release political prisoners in
Burma. <br>
They are now reportedly taking refuge with a splinter group of Karen
rebels known as ''God's Army''. <br>
The group's leader, Kyaw Ni, has vowed to continue their fight, adding
fuel to theories that his band will strike again at Burmese government
targets. <br>
Kyaw Ni, who is also the head of the Vigorous Burmese Students Warriors
(VBSW), was also reported to have called for a meeting of his 18-member
group on Saturday. <br>
The news item angered Rangoon who responded by demanding that Thai
authorities detain them immediately. Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai,
however, denied that the band were in Thailand. <br>
Bathan, the secretary-general of the Burma Students' Association based at
the Maneeloy holding centre in Ratchaburi, said he did not believe that
Kyaw Ni would strike at the Burmese Embassy again. <br>
''If he plans to do so, he will not publicise it,'' Bathan said. <br>
Aung Su, secretary-general of another exiled students group -- the
Overseas National Students Organisation -- believed that Kyaw Ni would
continue ''fighting'' through colleagues. <br>
''Do not expect him to surrender ... no way. His comrades will act on his
behalf,'' Aung Su said. <br>
The Nation<br>
</font>--------------------------------------------------
<BR>
</html>