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BURMA RELATED NEWS - June 20,
2001.
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HEADLINES
---------------------------------------------------------------- AP - Thailand's PM In Myanmar To Discuss
Strained Relations
AFP - Thai PM attempts to end months of turmoil
on mission to Myanmar
AFP - Thai PM's meeting with Myanmar leadership
"warm and friendly"
Channel NewsAsia - Police arrest four for
selling flick knives
BBC - Thailand and Burma 'back on
track'
ABC online - Singapore's elder statesman warns of growing digital gulf
Bkk Post - Thaksin gets warm welcome in
Burma
Xinhuanet - Thai PM Ends Visit to
Myanmar
Xinhuanet - Myanmar's Private Sector Plays
Leading Role in Foreign Trade
Xinhuanet - Thai PM Claims Success in His
Visits to Cambodia, Myanmar
---------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday June 19, 10:19 PM
Thailand's PM In Myanmar To Discuss
Strained Relations
YANGON, Myanmar (AP)--Thai
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra took on his biggest diplomatic challenge
Tuesday with a visit to neighboring Myanmar, where relations are at their lowest
ebb in years.
Top Myanmar officials nevertheless prepared a red-carpet welcome for
Thaksin, but rain forced the greeting ceremony into the arrival lounge at
Mingladon Airport.
While the prime minister and head of the ruling junta, Than Shwe, greeted
Thaksin, hundreds of schoolchildren stood outside in the downpour chanting
friendship slogans and a 19-gun salute was fired.
Relations between Thailand and Myanmar, also known as Burma, turned sour
after several small border clashes in February.
Thailand accuses Myanmar's military government of ignoring the production
and trafficking of the illegal stimulant methamphetamine, which is smuggled into
Thailand in large quantities. Myanmar accuses Thailand of failing to tackle its
own drug problem and of supporting Myanmar anti-government guerrillas.
Drug trafficking is expected to dominate Thaksin's agenda in Myanmar, and
the two countries are supposed to sign a memorandum of understanding on jointly
suppressing it.
Thaksin traveled to Myanmar from an official visit to Cambodia after
delivering a closing statement at his trial for concealing personal assets while
serving in a previous government. If found guilty, Thaksin could be dismissed
from his post and barred from public office for five years.
Thaksin is the first Thai prime minister to visit Myanmar since now-Defense
Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh in 1997. Many Western nations shun the military
regime for its human rights record and failure to transfer power to a
democratically elected government.
Thaksin returns to Thailand on Thursday.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday June 19, 7:51 PM
Thai PM attempts to end months of
turmoil on mission to Myanmar
YANGON, June 19 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Myanmar Tuesday to a warm welcome that belied the months of rancour the premier has promised to end during his inaugural official visit. In the biggest foreign policy test of his four-month-old administration,
Thaksin aims to arrest the alarming deterioration in ties between the neighbours
and historical rivals.
But the bitter row -- centred on responsibility for the drugs trade that
flourishes along their common border -- was put aside when Thaksin flew into
Yangon to a red-carpet reception and gushing editorials in the official
press.
Thaksin was greeted at Yangon airport by Myanmar's leader Senior General
Than Shwe, who will host an official dinner in Thaksin's honour Tuesday
evening.
After a 19-gun salute, the Thai leader drove into the city through a
gauntlet of hundreds of school children who despite a heavy downpour waved
national flags of both nations and cheered the premier's good health.
As he wrapped up a brief trip to Cambodia and departed on the next leg of
his mini-tour earlier Tuesday, Thaksin said he expected to have an open exchange
with Myanmar's ruling generals during his two days here.
"I can guarantee we will speak frankly this time," he said. "Countries who
share borders should build close relations at all levels."
Thaksin, whose government is battling an epidemic of methamphetamine
addiction fed by druglords who operate narcotics factories along the Myanmar
border, promised to grapple with the touchy drugs issue.
"Drugs are a priority because right now there is a war on drugs in Thailand
and Myanmar understands that," he said.
The perennially troubled bilateral relationship has sunk to new lows since
February, when fighting among ethnic militias on the drug-infested border
sparked a six-hour battle between the national armies.
Since then the row has degenerated into a slanging match that saw Myanmar's
official press hurl insults at Thailand's revered monarchy, while Thailand was
accused of trying to smear the military-run nation's reputation.
However, Myanmar's official press halted its daily stream of attacks on
Thailand to extend a glowing welcome to the premier Tuesday.
"May all auspiciousness attend on you," the New Light of Myanmar said in a
traditional greeting, adding that Thaksin's "prestige and stature attends beyond
the boundary of the Kingdom of Thailand."
The commentary said the visit should strengthen "already strong" ties
between Thailand and Myanmar and that efforts to fight the drug menace would
continue "in an atmosphere of friendly cooperation."
Thaksin's rise to power in the January general elections had been expected
to improve the notoriously testy bilateral relationship.
But neither his administration's pro-business stance nor the selection of
former army chief Defence Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh -- who enjoys a close
working relationship with the junta -- has warmed relations.
Political commentators remain pessimistic that the prime minister's visit
will provide a speedy solution to the centuries-old animosity between the
neighbours.
"The long-term problems with Myanmar will not be solved just because the
two leaders talk to each other," said Saksit Sriwattananukulkij from Chiang Mai
University.
But Saksit said the visit would go some way to easing other Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members' fears that the spat is getting out of
control.
"ASEAN will be relieved because the problems between the two countries make
the grouping feel uncomfortable," he said.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday June 20, 3:49 PM
Thai PM's meeting with Myanmar
leadership "warm and friendly"
YANGON, June 20 (AFP) - Thailand signed a drug control agreement with Myanmar Wednesday following a "warm and friendly" meeting between Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Myanmar's Senior General Than Shwe. After visiting Yangon's famed Shwedagon pagoda with several top-ranking
Myanmar officials, the Thai prime minister talked with Than Shwe for about half
an hour before presenting the drugs pact.
"The tone of the meeting was very warm and friendly," said Thailand's
government spokesman Yongyuth Piyapairat, adding the Thai delegation had made it
known they wanted to improve relations at all levels.
Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Myanmar Home Affairs
Minister Colonel Thin Hlaing signed the anti-narcotics memorandum of
understanding in an official ceremony.
The agreement provides for annual meetings to "discuss and exchange
information" on illicit drug-related issues.
Senior officials would also meet twice a year to further cooperation in
stamping out the drugs trade.
Three anti-drug trafficking border outposts would be set up at checkpoints
in Tachilek-Mae Sai, Myawadi-Mae Sot and Victoria Point-Ranong.
Myanmar officials said they will meet within a week to discuss the
reopening of the Tachilek border crossing, which was closed due to border
skirmishing that has poisoned relations between the countries in recent
months.
The perennially troubled relationship has sunk to new lows since February,
when fighting among ethnic militias on the drug-infested border sparked a
six-hour battle between the national armies.
Since then the row -- centred on responsibility for the drugs trade that
flourishes along their common border -- has degenerated into a slanging match
that saw Myanmar's official press hurl insults at Thailand's revered monarchy.
Thailand was also accused of trying to smear the military-run nation's
reputation.
However, Myanmar's official press halted its daily stream of attacks on
Thailand to extend a glowing welcome to the premier Tuesday.
And Thaksin confirmed reports that Myanmar's junta had invited the Thai
king and queen to visit, for what would be their first trip here in
decades.
Thaksin arrived in Myanmar Tuesday to a warm welcome that belied the months
of rancour the premier aimed to defuse during his inaugural official
visit.
In the biggest foreign policy test of his four-month-old administration,
Thaksin has promised to arrest the alarming deterioration in ties between the
neighbours and historical rivals.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Channel NewsAsia
Wednesday June 20, 10:19 PM
Police arrest four for selling flick
knives
Police have arrested four persons for selling flick knives at Bugis Street on Tuesday. In a statement, police said the knife is a scheduled weapon under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act. Acting on information received, they had raided three stalls at Bugis
Street that were selling such knives.
The knives, selling at S$9.90 each, also function as lighters.
Police said the four persons arrested - two Singaporeans and two Myanmar
nationals, all aged between 18 and 48 years old - have been released on police
bail pending further investigations.
---------------------------------------------------------------- BBC - Wednesday, 20 June, 2001, 13:43
GMT 14:43 UK
Thailand and Burma 'back on track' By Jonathan Head in Rangoon
The Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has hailed his two-day visit
to Burma as a success, saying relations between the two countries are now back
on track.
Earlier this year, Burmese and Thai troops were involved in clashes on
their common border - both countries accuse the other of supporting
drug-producing militias in the area.
Mr Thaksin brought all his considerable public relations skills to bear on
Burma - the country which is the Thai prime minister's biggest foreign policy
challenge.
On Wednesday morning, local worshippers at Rangoon's magnificent Shwedagon
temple were clearly astonished to watch the Thai leader praying and sightseeing
alongside them.
It was a populist touch, unfamiliar to most people in military-ruled Burma.
Little of substance
But while his charm has undoubtedly helped to warm the atmosphere, Mr
Thaksin was unable to walk away with any solid agreements on the issues which
still divide the two countries.
The memorandum of understanding they signed referred only in the most
general terms to the problems of drugs, which Thailand says are produced in
large quantities inside Burma and then shipped over the border.
There was no mention even of the joint border patrols the Thai side had
been seeking.
Big differences
Thailand is awash with narcotics, and Mr Thaksin has made controlling the
supply of drugs a top priority. But his Burmese counterparts still insist they
are not responsible for Thailand's drugs crisis.
These are still two very different Asian states. One is a free market
democracy; the other, one of the world's most isolated and oppressive regimes.
However much they need to get along with each other, Thailand and Burma
still find it hard to end their historic mistrust and rivalry.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Australian Broadcasting Corporation
June 20, 2001.
Singapore's elder statesman warns of
growing digital gulf
Singapore's elder statesman, Lee Kuan Yew, has warned that the growing
technological divide between rich and poor Southeast Asian nations, is creating
a worrying situation.
He says catching up with wealthier neigbours will be an uphill task because
of a lack of resources.
Mr Lee, Singapore's former Prime minister who is widely credited for
transforming the resource-poor city-state into one of Asia's wealthiest
countries, was addressing a regional forum on communication and information
technology.
Citing Burma and Laos as examples, Mr Lee said that countries left behind
not only lack infrastructure but also educated people.
He said the problem was not going to improve anytime soon because the more
technologically advanced countries such as Singapore and Malaysia are making
progress in their climb up the ladder.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - June 20,
2001.
Thaksin gets warm welcome in
Burma
Tachilek crossing remains closed Bhanravee Tansubhapol, Rangoon
Burma rolled out the red carpet for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra when
he arrived yesterday, but kept the border crossing at Tachilek closed. Despite
pouring rain, Gen Than Shwe, prime minister, and chairman of the ruling State
Peace and Development Council, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first secretary-general, and
Gen Maung Aye, the army commander, turned out to meet Mr Thaksin inside the
airport terminal in Rangoon. A guard of honour assembled there for his
inspection.
About 200 school children waving Thai and Burmese flags greeted him at
plane side, and about 2,000 others lined up along the road for about a kilometre
from the airport.
The state-run New Light of Myanmar carried his biography on its front page
and an editorial article welcoming the visit inside. The article spoke of "plans
afoot" to share water resources and of the "tradition" of co-operation against
"the menace of hard drugs".
Shortly after his arrival, the prime minister met for an hour and a half
with Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, who is partly responsible for the border that has been
tense for months.
The prime minister said again during the flight from Phnom Penh to Rangoon
all sources of mistrust would be discussed so that the two countries could work
together.
Misunderstandings should not be left unattended for too long. "If the
distance is too far, technically there will be interference," he said. People's
imagination should not be allowed to run wild.
The Burmese leadership would not have made so many preparations for his
visit if they did not want to talk to him, he added, backing reports that Burma
planned to invite Their Majesties the King and Queen to visit the country.
But the border at Tachilek remained closed despite previous reports in
adjacent Mae Sai that it would be reopened to mark the visit.
The Mae Sai-Tachilek checkpoint has been closed since Feb 11, following the
capture by Burmese troops of Pang Noon, its recapture by Thai troops and other
skirmishes on the border.
The unclear demarcation of the 2,400km border, largely responsible for the
stand-off, is expected to be raised during Mr Thaksin's 24-hour visit.
The prime minister is to have formal talks with Gen Than Shwe this
morning.
He will later witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on
co-operation against drugs, and an agreement between a Thai firm and Burma's
ministry of construction on road-building in Burma. He meets Thai businessmen in
Burma before heading back to Bangkok this afternoon.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Thai PM Ends Visit to
Myanmar
2001.06.20 19:01:43 YANGON, June 20 (Xinhuanet) --
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ended his two-day official visit
here Wednesday afternoon after Myanmar and Thailand reached a memorandum
of understanding (MOU) on fight against drug production.
The MOU, signed by Myanmar Home Affairs Minister Colonel Tin Hlaing
and Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, designates that meetings to
discuss and exchange information on illicit drug- related issues be held
annually between the two countries.
The MOU also said three anti-drug trafficking border outposts would
be established at check points in Tachileik-Maesai, Myawaddy- Maesot and
Victoria Point-Ranong.
The Myanmar side added that the opening of Tachileik check point
would be discussed within a week which was closed due to border clashes in
February.
Myanmar and Thailand also issued a joint Communique at the end of
Thaksin's visit, saying that the two countries agreed to enhance their
relations despite border clashes.
The Communique disclosed that Chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and
Development Council and Prime Minister Senior-General Than Shwe had
accepted Thaksin's invitation to visit Thailand.
This was Thaksin's third leg of journey to three new members of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- Laos, Cambodia and
Myanmar, and was also his first visit to Myanmar since he became the prime
minister early this year as well as the first Thai prime minister visiting
Myanmar in more than three years.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Myanmar's Private Sector Plays
Leading Role in Foreign Trade
2001.06.20 09:15:13 YANGON, June 20 (Xinhuanet) --
Myanmar's private sector is playing a leading role in the country's
foreign trade, accounting for a high percentage in both import and export
values.
According to the latest figures published by Myanmar's Central
Statistical Organization (CSO), the private sector made up 68.68 percent
of the country's total imports in value in the first two months of this
year and represented 59.84 percent of the total exports in value during
the period.
The rest of the percentages were taken up by the government and cooperative
sectors.
Myanmar's foreign trade totaled 769.15 million U.S. dollars in the
two-month period with its imports valuing at 431.15 million dollars and
its exports amounting to 338 million dollars.
The playing of the leading role by the private sector in foreign
trade is linked to the encouragement by the government and the adoption of a
policy of privatization since early 1995.
According to official statistics, in 2000, Myanmar's foreign trade
totaled 4.086 billion dollars, of which the private sector made up 76.8
percent of its imports which was valued at 2.567 billion dollars, while it
took up 68.5 percent of its exports which amounted to 1.519 billion
dollars.
It is reported that there are 33,081 private entrepreneurs in Myanmar
including exporters and importers, business representatives, companies and
joint venture ones.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Thai PM Claims Success in His
Visits to Cambodia, Myanmar
2001.06.20 22:19:42 BANGKOK, June 20 (Xinhuanet) --
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra declared a success in his official
visits to Cambodia and Myanmar here Wednesday, after he returned from
trips to the two neighboring countries, the state-owned MCOT radio said.
"Better understanding has been created and closer cooperation has
been agreed between Thailand and the two countries at the national level,"
he told a press conference upon his arrival at the airport.
Thaksin visited Cambodia between June 18 and 19, and Myanmar between
June 19 and 20.
The Thai leader indicated that the success in his Myanmar trip was
particularly attributed to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's recent remarks
to new Myanmar ambassador to Thailand that Myanmar and Thailand are good
friends.
Than Shwe, chairman of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC), also invited the King and the Queen of Thailand to pay a visit to
Myanmar to promote and strengthen goodwill and friendship between the two
close neighboring countries, he said.
During the visit, Myanmar also pledged that all border checkpoints be
re-opened for normal Thai-Myanmar border trade over the next seven days, and the
two governments signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation
in prevention and suppression of illicit drugs, the premier disclosed.
Thaksin said that an agreement on enhanced cooperation in tourism,
cultural and educational promotion was also made between Thailand and
Myanmar.
On the Cambodia trip, he said the Thai and Cambodian governments have
agreed to settle disputes over overlapping territorial waters, among other
cooperation.
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