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BURMA RELATED NEWS - April 29,
2001.
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HEADLINES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- AFP - ASEAN foreign
ministers arrive for Myanmar meet
The Star - Myanmar man
sought over death of colleague
The Star - Syed Hamid for talks in Yangon
NSTP - Myanmar
showing potential for investors VOA News -Thailand Residents
Want Burmese Electric Plant Moved
The Daily Telegraph -
Mawdsley slips back to visit Burma
Bkk Post - Drugs top of
agenda for Surakiart's visit
Bkk Post - US special forces
training new covert unit
Bkk Post - City folk support truck ban
Bkk Post - Stray shells hit
Thai soil, spur protest
Bkk Post - Editorial - Asean retries the nuclear-free
zone
IT - Thai Army accused of
military escalation at border
Xinhuanet - Myanmar
Extends Rubber Plantation Area
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday April 29, 1:37 PM
ASEAN foreign ministers arrive for
Myanmar meet
YANGON, April 29 (AFP) -
Southeast Asian foreign ministers began arriving in the Myanmar capital Sunday
for a meeting which is expected to be overshadowed by the host of political and
economic woes besetting the region.
The informal retreat which begins Monday will see none of the fiery debate
aired at their last Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in
Bangkok last July, analysts said.
Delicate issues including the future viability of the bloc, and a security
"troika" to adjudicate on regional troublespots are likely to be avoided by
ministers who are preoccupied with their nations' own internal problems.
"When they met in Bangkok they made an agreement to work on preventative
diplomacy," said Prapat Thepchatree, director of the Bangkok-based Centre for
International Policy Studies.
"But at this particular time, it seems many countries in the region are
more concerned about their internal problems," he said, referring to leadership
crises in Indonesia and the Philippines in particular.
"Efforts to improve cooperation within ASEAN will be considered as a kind
of luxury compared to the urgent domestic issues."
The initiatives, spearheaded by the region's stronger democracies, had
always met with opposition from authoritarian nations anxious to stick to
ASEAN's policy of non-intervention in members' internal affairs.
The dissenters are likely to have more influence at Monday's meeting, which
is being held in military-ruled Myanmar, and chaired by communist Vietnam which
will also host the ministers' official meeting in July.
"We can see a big difference from last year, when Thailand was a chair and
active in promoting initiatives, a lot of new issues and cooperation," said
Prapat.
"But since the chair has changed to Vietnam you can see ASEAN has been very
quiet."
One highlight of the retreat will be the first meeting between Myanmar
Foreign Minister Win Aung and his Thai counterpart Surakiart Sathirathai, who
will stay on for a two-day official visit afterwards.
The two countries have been bogged down in an angry war of words in recent
months, since fighting between rival ethnic militias reputedly involved in the
drug trade along the Thai-Myanmar border sparked off a rare clash between the
two national armies.
The animosity erupted again last week when Myanmar accused Thailand of
jeopardising ASEAN unity by blaming the Yangon junta for rampant drug
trafficking along their shared border.
"Thailand has resorted to scapegoating and pushing responsibility to the
other party rather than cooperation in a manner of shared responsibility," it
said in a strongly-worded statement.
"Irresponsible actions which can jeopardise ASEAN's unprecedented
determination to solve regional matters peacefully in an atmosphere of goodwill,
friendship and cooperation ... should be seriously considered."
Chaiwat Khamchoo, dean of political science at Thailand's Chulalangkorn
University, said the meeting would be a valuable chance to clear the air.
"Things have got really out of hand lately, but it's in both our interests
to have a good relationship," he said. "The sooner this is done the better, we
have wasted too much time."
But the pressing regional issues of drug trafficking and other
transnational crime were not likely to be discussed openly during the retreat,
he said.
"Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore -- everyone has their
own leadership problems. So I guess things might be bit quiet and the issues
that are broached might not be too exciting."
"Generally ASEAN tries to avoid anything which will interfere with domestic
politics."
Prapat said delegates may try to raise the topic of the recent political
thaw in Myanmar, where the junta has been meeting with opposition leader Aung
San Suu Kyi for several months.
"I think it will help a little bit. The fact that ASEAN member countries
visit Myanmar will help somewhat in terms of opening up the political and
diplomatic process," he said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Star - April 29,
2001.
Mynmar man sought over death of
colleague
KUALA LUMPUR: Police are seeking the help of the public to locate a scrap
metal company employee believed to have slashed his colleague to death in Old
Klang Road on April 15.
City police public relations officer Asst Supt Nor Azmi Isa said Myanmar national Kyaw Tint Aung, 40, (Passport No: 054134) was working in Mukunthan Bersaudara Company for more than five years and in the Selayang wholesale market. He added the suspect, who spoke Tamil, was 1.7m tall and had a mole on the
left side of his forehead.
The suspect is believed to have had an argument with R. Mayilpandi, an
Indian national, before slashing him at 12.30pm.
Police are investigating the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code and
urged those with information to contact Insp T. Sivakumar at tel: 03-2146 0681
or 2146 0685 or the nearest police station.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Star - April 29,
2001.
Syed Hamid for talks in
Yangon
KUALA TERENGGANU: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar will leave
for Yangon today to attend the one-day Asean Foreign Ministers informal meeting
in the Myanmar capital tomorrow.
"In view of the present economic situation and globalisation, there is much pressure on Asean and hence we want to ensure that Asean continues to have unity, strength and solidarity,'' he said. "If not, outside elements will break up Asean and eventually the region's
unity will be jeopardised,'' he said after opening the Kuala Terengganu Umno
division delegates conference here.
The Asean Foreign Ministers meeting would have an open agenda, he
added.--Bernama
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Straits Times
Business: Myanmar showing potential for
investors
By Ramlan Said 29 April 2001 MYANMAR is not only rich in natural resources but its 50-million population
provides a steady source of workers.
Coupled with cheap wages, investing in Myanmar seems the right choice to be
made, especially for labour-intensive industries.
Infrastructure like roads, bridges and industrial zones are being built to
make transportation of goods more efficient and speedier.
Airports are being upgraded or new ones built. The new Mandalay
International Airport, for instance, can now accommodate Boeing 747 aircraft.
Similar focus is being given to ports.
The people's purchasing power has increased over the decade. So has the
standard of living. The number of new condominiums and apartments coming up in
the Yangon area is one indicator that Myanmar today has changed for the
better.
Malaysian ambassador to Myanmar Datuk Mohamed Noh, as such, did not
hesitate to call on Malaysian businessmen to open up or relocate their
operations to Myanmar.
He said Malaysia had many labour-intensive industries that could be
relocated to countries like Myanmar to take advantage of the cheap labour.
Manual workers are generally paid between RM60 and RM70 per month compared
to more than RM500 in Malaysia.
"Come and 'park' yourselves now before the entry of giants from the other
countries," he told a delegation of Malaysian journalists in Yangon last
week.
Mohamed felt that once the big boys arrived on the scene, it would be
difficult for Malaysian businessmen to compete unless they managed to build the
contacts and networks.
This, he said, could only materialise if Malaysian businessmen were to
enter the country now.
"The laws on investment are similar to Malaysia. There are no problems
actually," he said.
Another factor that should be capitalised by businessmen are the close ties
between Myanmar and Malaysia, following a visit to Myanmar by Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad in January.
"The close ties provide a conducive environment for Malaysian companies to
invest here. This is one advantage not available to other foreign
investors."
The ambassador is a strong advocate of the "prosper-thy-neighbour" policy
espoused by Dr Mahathir. He feels Malaysia should help the economies of Asean
member countries.
As an emerging country rich in natural and human resources, Myanmar
encourages private sector participation for rapid and sustainable
development.
Foreign investment is allowed in almost all sectors of the economy that
still relies heavily on agro-based industries. What is in store for Malaysian
companies?
Mohamed said potential areas are maize and oil palm, mining and
construction of infrastructure projects.
In the food production industry, Malaysia's familiar noodle snack brand,
Mamee, has carved a name under Myanmar Mamee Double Decker Ltd after just four
years in the market.
Khaun Mha Khaung (tasty and delicious), the product's tagline in Myanmar,
has become a popular jingle among local people.
With an annual growth rate of 60 per cent, the company is confident it will
not be long before it emerges as the No. 1 noodle and snack food company in
Myanmar.
It employs 130 local workers at its factory located in the Pyin Ma Bin
Industrial Complex outside Yangon.
Lieutenant Colonel Hla Min, from the Office of Strategic Studies, Ministry
of Defence, did not hide his disappointment over the misrepresentation in the
media about his country.
He said people always had the impression that Myanmar was not stable, the
situation volatile with bombs exploding here and there.
"Even the United States advises its nationals against travelling to
Myanmar. We do not want to argue with their perception. What we can say is come
and experience life in this country on your own. See and then be your own
judge."
Hla Min was confident that visitors would go back with a different outlook.
"It is one of the safest places in the country for tourists," he assured.
The colonel, however, did not dispute that travelling to some parts of the
country like the border areas with Thailand was still not permitted while other
regions required permission.
But it was a matter of time before these restrictions would be lifted as
efforts towards reconciliation, via development, gained momentum.
Hla Min said development in these areas was part of the confidence-building
measures. "When the people can actually see and enjoy the benefits of
development, gradually we will gain their trust and confidence."
The effectiveness of this approach has been demonstrated in the border
areas of Lauk Kai and Monglar in the Shan State.
Once the stronghold of drug lords and insurgents, Monglar has been declared
free of drugs while three-quarters of land grown with opium in Lauk Kai have
been replaced with other crops.
The policy adopted by Yangon is to pit development against opium, and to
date, the former seems to have gained the upper hand.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- VOA News
Asia Pacific Thailand Residents
Want Burmese Electric Plant Moved
28 Apr 2001 11:55 UTC Residents of Chiang Mai in western Thailand have petitioned Foreign
Minister Surakiart Sathirathai to persuade Burma to move a planned coal-fired
electricity plant away from the border.
A delegation presented a letter containing 5,000 signatures to Mr.
Surakiart's office on Friday. The letter said that local residents are concerned
about the environmental impact of the plant. It is only five kilometers from the
border and people fear sulfur emissions will degrade the area and adversely
affect tourism.
The foreign minister will visit Rangoon on Tuesday and Wednesday and is
expected to bring up the issue with his Burmese counterpart.
Last week, Thailand stopped a convoy of trucks carrying electricity
generators from China to the plant.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Daily Telegraph - April 28,
2001.
Mawdsley slips back to visit
Burma
By Alex Spillius in Bangkok JAMES MAWDSLEY, the rights campaigner who spent 14 months in solitary
confinement in a Burmese prison, disclosed yesterday that he recently returned
to the country on a secret charity mission.
The 28-year-old former Bristol University student was guided by Karen
dissidents on foot across the border from Thailand. They continued through
jungle to an impoverished village whose school is to receive £1,500 donated by a
Thai businessman inspired by the Briton's solo campaign against Burma's military
regime.
When Mr Mawdsley was released from a 17-year sentence in October, it was
understood that if he went back he would be detained for a substantial period.
It was his second jail term for distributing pro-democracy leaflets.
In Bangkok last night, Mr Mawdsley said that earlier comments that he would
never return to Burma had been misinterpreted. "I only said I wouldn't go back
to prison." Of his recent trip he said: "There is no risk if you are careful.
Previously I wanted to get attention and get arrested but that wasn't the
intention this time. This trip was for me."
He added: "I have said categorically I will not go back to prison and I
mean it. I don't want to let down my family and put them through such pain
again." Mr Mawdsley's ambitions should ensure that he does not try to get
arrested again. Having revealed that he will campaign for the Tories at the
general election, he said last night he wanted to stand as an MP next time
around.
Mr Mawdsley also arranged for a £20,000 donation from a British benefactor
to be handed over to a school in Ban Sa La refugee camp in Thailand. "I have
found much more help and sympathy from Thais for the Burmese cause, which is
very encouraging."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - April - 29,
2001.
Drugs top of agenda for
Surakiart's visit
Meets Asean leaders, then junta leaders Achara Ashayagachat
Drug suppression tops Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai's agenda when
he meets Asean ministers in Rangoon on Monday and his Burmese hosts on Tuesday
and Wednesday.
But observers warn that the minister's visit is not a panacea for
Thailand's conflicts with its neighbour.
Some doubt much will be achieved.
For Thailand, the all-important issue it wants Asean to tackle is drugs-but
it is doubtful Asean will have the courage to challenge Burma under its own
roof.
Assoc Prof Prapat Thepchatree, director of the Centre for International
Policies Studies at Thammasat University, doubted Asean would seriously discuss
the matter at all.
"Asean has been silent for years and the drug issue is too tough for such a
weak organisation, which in fact should concern itself more with the economic
problems," he said. "With Hanoi chairing Asean this year, we should not expect
much." Mr Surakiart will meet Asean foreign ministers when he attends the
Rangoon Retreat on Monday.
He is obliged to raise the drugs issue when he meets his host, Win Aung, on
Tuesday.
He paved the way for talks in Chile last month, when he met Khin Maung Win,
Burma's deputy foreign minister.
Mr Surakiart expects to hear a fresh response to two earlier Thai
proposals-a memorandum of understanding on Thai-Burmese co-operation to combat
drugs, and a trilateral scheme that would also involve China. The MOU was
submitted to U Win Aung's deputy, while China's commitment to the trilateral
plan was given by Tang Jiaxuan, the foreign minister, earlier this month. "We
should not be blinded by illusions or unrealistic expectations that Burma, which
seems to welcome the Thaksin government more than the previous government of
Chuan Leekpai, will commit itself to implementing any co-operation plan," said a
senior government official.
Burma had never said "no" but seemed to prefer verbal commitments to
putting anything on paper.
Thailand, sources said, should keep trying to convince the generals to put
words into deeds.
"The fact that they talk is good enough," the official said.
"The two countries need continuity in relations. We must ensure that Burma
remains committed to solving conflicts but also to boosting other aspects of
co-operation."Besides the Regional Border Committee, which recently met after a
two-year lapse, two other groups have yet to reconvene, the Joint Commission on
Economic, Social and Technical Co-operation (JC) and the Joint Boundary
Committee, dealing with border demarcation.
"If we get a positive signal that the JC will be held, that's a good step
showing that Burma agrees not to let other conflicts undermine other areas of
relations," the official said.
Mr Surakiart would also raise the ban on Thai fishermen entering Burmese
waters, imposed by Rangoon last year, and the closure of the border checkpoint
at Tachilek.
Fishermen were still struggling to find new waters, as trawlers and fishing
crews from India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia get stopped at sea a lot by Burmese
patrol vessels.
"But half of the former legal operators in Burmese waters have found their
way back by accepting tougher conditions laid down by Rangoon," he said.
Asean foreign ministers will look at how to improve Asean's relevancy.
Individual members' concerns including drugs, piracy, and global financial
reforms would be raised.
"In terms of relevance, Asean is still in crisis and the ministers will
discuss how to make us stronger," an official said. Mr Surakiart's idea of an
Asian co-operation dialogue would be raised as one way of making Asean a bridge
between East and South Asia.
Ministers would also look at suggestions from the Eminent Persons Group for
achieving so-called Vision 2020, including a study on setting up an Asean stock
market, work on the Asean Free Trade Area Agreement, Aids, and foreign
relations.
Vietnam, the standing committee chairman, would be busy making plans for
the upcoming annual meeting in Hanoi late July of Asean foreign ministers, the
Asean Regional Forum and the Post-Ministerial Conference.
Malaysia was likely to raise the impact on the region of globalisation,
while Singapore was keen on advancing the Asean Plus Three process, to shape an
"East Asian Community".
Laos and Cambodia wanted closer integration among the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations.
Thailand was concerned that, while Asean as a group had agreed to set the
region free from drugs by 2015, political impetus was lacking to make it
happen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - April 29,
2001.
US special forces training new
covert unit
High-tech gear and copters in arsenal US special forces are giving intensive training to Task Force 399, a covert
new Third Army unit formed to extend the war against drugs to traffickers along
the Thai-Burmese border.
Lt-Gen Wattanachai Chaimuenwong, the Third Army commander, said 30 members
of the US special forces from Fort Lewis in Washington, whose military
contingencies focus on the Pacific Rim, are running the training operation,
codenamed Baker Torch.
They are training soldiers from Task Force 399 at two military bases, in
Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.
The task force was formed this year at the initiative of army chief Gen
Surayud Chulanont, aimed at stemming the flow of drugs from Burma.
"The task force's main mission is to deal directly with drug traffickers
along our border with Burma," said Lt-Gen Wattanachai, who is responsible for
drug suppression drives in the North.
Task Force 399, headed by Col Charnchai Soontornket, the Third Army's
deputy chief-of-staff, comprises two infantry companies from the Third Army's
Mae Hong Son-based 7th infantry regiment, a company from Chiang Mai-based 2nd
special forces regiment and another company from the border patrol police.
An army source said Gen Surayud had asked for US help to train the
taskforce while on an official trip to the US in April 1999.
US ambassador Richard Hecklinger went to Chiang Mai in the middle of last
year, when he received a first-hand account of the drug situation in the upper
North.
In September, Adm Dennis Blair, chief of the US Pacific Command, which has
close military relations with forces from Fort Lewis, made another surprise trip
to witness the Third Army's drug suppression along the border area. During the
trip, Adm Blair was taken by Lt-Gen Wattanachai to Doi Kiew Hoong in Chiang
Mai's Mae Ai district overlooking Mong Yawn, which is the United Wa State Army's
drug centre.
Lt-Gen Wattanachai said the army's action against drugs would intensify.
The taskforce would be equipped with eight attack helicopters, night-vision
equipment and other sophisticated weapons for night-time warfare. "We have been
using regular troops or paramilitary soldiers along the border, but soon this
special unit will make our fight more effective," said Lt-Gen Wattanachai.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - April 29,
2001.
City folk support truck
ban
Most Bangkok residents support the Third Army's move to stop 44 trucks
crossing the border to deliver construction materials to a Burmese power plant,
an opinion poll has found.
The Bangkok University survey canvassed the opinions of 1,300 residents
from 26 city districts between April 26-27.
Concerned citizens earlier rallied in front of Mae Sae checkpoint in Chiang
Rai to stop the convoy from crossing the Burmese border, citing environmental
concerns.
Of the respondents, over 68% agreed with Third Army commander Lt-Gen
Watthanachai Chaimuenwong's decision to stop the trucks crossing Mae Sai border
checkpoint into Tachilek. Over 17% were against the move while 15% had no
comment.
About 38% believed certain politicians were behind the delivery of the
construction materials to the Burmese power plant, just over 10% ruled out
political involvement, while 51% had no comment.
Over 53% of those questioned thought the blockade would affect Thailand's
relationship with Burma, under 32% believed there would be no impact and 15% had
no opinion.
Around 68% were against the permanent closure of Mae Sai checkpoint, over
18% wanted the checkpoint closed, and 13% made no comment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - April 29,
2001.
Stray shells hit Thai soil, spur
protest
Subin Khuenkaew Burmese troops were asked to stop attacking a Shan State Army stronghold
yesteday after stray shells landed in Fang district.
Third Army commander Lt-Gen Watthanachai Chaimuenwong asked the local
Thai-Burmese Border Committee to send a letter carrying his protest to Burmese
authorities.
Burmese soldiers opened fire on Doi Takhi base, captured by the SSA on
April 22, but more than 50 shells overshot and landed on Thai soil, he
said.
Three stray mortar shells landed on Ban Nor Lae military base and three
others on the edge of a reservoir on Doi Angkhang, the commander said.
"The SSA rebels are on high ground while Burmese troops are situated below
them. That's why many shells have missed the target and fallen on Thai soil in
the past 3-4 days. "I wanted to tell Burma that it's time to stop shooting now,"
Lt-Gen Watthanachai said.
The SSA claimed to have found 170,000 methamphetamine tablets stored at Doi
Takhi when they captured it from Burmese government forces.
In light of Burmese efforts to recapture the base, security has been
tightened again along the frontier, especially near a border pass in Chiang Dao
district and another in Fang district, where evacuations may be needed.
Officials in four border districts of Chiang Mai were on 24-hour
alert.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - April 29,
2001.
Editorial - Asean retries the
nuclear-free zone
More than 10 years ago, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
officially approved a ban on nuclear weapons in the region. Since then, Asean
has doubled in size, the nuclear club has got bigger and more dangerous, and the
Asean policy has been renamed twice. Next month, Asean will try once again to
put an important concept into international law. The group has invited the five
biggest nuclear powers to a meeting in Hanoi to try to move the issue
ahead.
The nuclear-free zone began life in the 1980s as the Zone of Peace, Freedom
and Neutrality, or Zopfan. Soviet forces occupied Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam, and
American troops had forward bases in the Philippines. The region was a dangerous
place. There were major insurgencies in several countries, and the superpowers
were involved in various ways. Ruinous combat was under way in Cambodia.
China-sponsored insurgencies were dying down, but dangerous, in Thailand and
elsewhere.
Zopfan had little chance of success, but put Asean forward as a regional
spokesman. It is hard to believe now, but communist Indochina and the
Russian-led Europeans loathed Asean as a tool of capitalists and likely
conspiring to be a military alliance against Vietnam and others. China and
Russia would not discuss the idea of a nuclear-free zone. The US, Britain and
France were uncomfortable with the notion.
In 1997, at an important meeting of the foreign ministers of the 10 Asean
countries and the world's most powerful nations, the nuclear-free zone idea was
revived. It was renamed as the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone. All five
members of the original nuclear club were ready to discuss the concept
seriously.
Asean took its typical stance, and did not push any of the nuclear
powers-and none of the five pushed back. Since then, extremely quiet diplomacy
has kept the nuclear-free zone alive for discussion. Some Asean ministers now
seem convinced that new, high-level talks can make progress. Vietnam, as the
2001 chairman of Asean, will play host to senior officials in the third week of
May.
There are three major objections to the SEANWFZ. The first is the major
problem that the Americans have with the proposal. Most sea lanes to, from and
through Asean are in international waters. The Americans feel that the Asean
proposal could be a major restriction on the free movement of ocean-going ships.
If the current SEANWFZ proposal becomes law, all ships would have to promise
they had no nuclear weapons aboard.
Another roadblock has come mainly from China, and is effectively the
opposite of the American objection. The Chinese claim vast regions of Southeast
Asian waters. These claims reach up to the 12-mile limit of several countries.
China's most contentious claims overlap territorial waters of the Philippines,
Vietnam and Malaysia. China, then, feels SEANWFZ is a non-starter until Asean
agrees to accept all its claims, such as on the Spratly Islands.
Perhaps most important is the Asean fixation on the five original nuclear
powers. If the nuclear-free proposal is to make Asean more secure, it must apply
to all countries. India and Pakistan have not been invited to the Hanoi talks.
North Korea has usually refused even to discuss security issues.
A nuclear-free zone by any name is a worthy goal. All Asean countries have
already agreed to a ban on making, testing and storing nuclear weapons. They
also ban the dumping of radioactive material or waste. After four years, it will
be interesting to see if Asean has anything new to offer to the nuclear powers.
A ban on transporting nuclear weapons is a symbolic step in regional security.
It would also help the world to move the stalled nuclear disarmament talks
ahead.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Times of India - April 29,
2001.
Thai Army accused of military escalation
at border
BANGKOK: Myanmar on Thursday accused the Thai Army of escalating tensions
at the border, saying it went against Southeast Asian nations' determination to
resolve disputes peacefully.
In a statement received in Bangkok, Myanmar's military regime claimed
Thailand had sent troops on joint operations with anti-Myanmar ethnic Shan
rebels and attacked military camps on the Myanmar side of the border.
The "irresponsible actions" can jeopardise the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations' "unprecedented determination to solve regional matters
peacefully," the statement said.
The statement reiterated an accusation made by a senior army officer
Wednesday that Thai troops took part in an attack on the Pachee outpost on
Sunday, killing six Myanmar troops. The camp is in eastern Shan State, which
lies 50 yards (meters) from Thai border security units.
The Thai army has already denied it took part in the raid, and backed the
Shan rebels' claim that they seized 170,000 methamphetamines from the outpost
after the attack.
Myanmar said the claim was aimed at discrediting its army.
"The tactics and trend being implemented by the Thai Army at present along
the common border with Myanmar will definitely not help in our fight to
eliminate narcotic drugs," the statement said.
Thailand did not immediately respond to the statement. The army spokesman's
mobile phone was turned off and the Foreign Ministry spokesman was not available
to take a call.
Thailand and Myanmar are both members of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations, a group which promotes economic, and to a lesser extent, political
cooperation. The main tenet of ASEAN is noninterference in other countries'
affairs.
The two neighbours have been at loggerheads since their armies fought a
skirmish in February in the worst border clash in years, after fighting between
ethnic rebels and Myanmar forces spilled over the border. Thailand denies
helping the rebels.
Relations are also sour because Thailand accuses Myanmar of doing little to
stop the trafficking of methamphetamine drugs by a powerful ethnic Wa army that
reached a cease-fire with Yangon one decade ago. Drugs are the main cause of
crime in Thailand.
"Myanmar sincerely urges Thailand to cooperate in a meaningful way to also
achieve its goal of a drug-free kingdom instead of blaming others for the Thai
people's every bad and peculiar habit," the statement said.
Thailand estimates that 800 million methamphetamine pills will be smuggled
from Myanmar, also known as Burma, this year. Myanmar, which is also a major
heroin producer, says it is doing all it can to fight drugs with limited
resources. (AP)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myanmar Extends Rubber Plantation
Area
2001.04.29 12:23:39 YANGON, April 29 (Xinhuanet) --
Myanmar has extended the plantation area of rubber, which is the country's
major industrial crop and one of the country's major foreign exchange earners,
from two divisions and states to four.
According to the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, plantation
area of rubber, which was traditionally and mainly grown in the country's
southern Tanintharyi division and Mon state, has been extended to northern
Kachin and Shan states and the pilot plantation of the crop has proved
successful.
In Myanmar, 2.62 million hectares are reportedly suitable for rubber
growing.
According to the ministry, areas of rubber plantation in the country
have also increased from 81,000 hectares in 1994 to 182, 250 hectares at
present.
Of the rubber plantations, 13 percent is owned by state and 87
percent by private entrepreneurs, while of the rubber production, 15
percent is by the state and 85 percent by the private sector.
According to official statistics, Myanmar exports 26,300 tons of raw
rubber annually, earning 22 million U.S. dollars of foreign exchange.
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