From: BurmaNet ------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: AUGUST 18, 1995 RANONG TRADERS URGE IMPROVED BURMA TIES MALARIA CASES LINKED TO BURMA ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS WARNED MODEL STATE BURMA'S GENERALS WANT INDONESIAN-STYLE POLITICS BESIEGED KHUN SA RESHUFFLES POSTS TO PATCH UP INTERNAL RIFTS THAI SKIPPER, KHMER CREWMAN CONFESS TO KILLING BURMESE CHAVALIT HAS HIS WORK CUT OUT ON MISSION TO BURMA CHAVALIT: DON'T LET KILLING OF SEAMEN HURT TIES WITH RANGOON JUNTA AND KARENS 'LIKELY TO AGREE ON CEASEFIRE TERMS' HUNT CONTINUES FOR 9 MORE SUSPECTS IN TRAWELR MURDERS ACADEMIC: HELP SOLVE MINORITIES' PROBLEM FREEDOM S CHALLENGE CHAVALIT: DON'T LET KILLING OF SEAMEN HURT TIES WITH RANGOON JUNTA AND KARENS 'LIKELY TO AGREE ON CEASEFIRE TERMS' BESIEGED KHUN SA RESHUFFLES POSTS TO PATCH UP INTERNAL RIFTS CHAVALIT HAS HIS WORK CUT ON MISSION TO BURMA CHAVALIT'S BURMA TRIP SEEN AS FIRST STEP THAI SKIPPER, KHMER CREWMAN CONFESS TO KILLING BURMESE ---------------------------------------------------------- Produced with the support of the Burma Information Group (B.I.G). 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Sutcliffe" World Wide Web: FreeBurma@POBox.com Volunteering: Dr. Christina Fink c/o burmanet@igc.apc.org [Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage] ---------------------------------------------------------- ===== item ===== MOVE TO HEAD OFF ROW WITH BURMA Bkk Post/17.8.95 PRIME Minister Banharn Silpa-archa has prepared a message for his Burmese counterpart to confirm Thailand's stance in clearing up the murder of Burmese seamen in an effort to curb intensifying border hostility. Mr. Baharn said the message will be delivered to the Burmese Government by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh who is due for an official visit to that country early next month. Foreign Ministry representatives have gone to Burma to attend a ministry-level meeting with Burma's Political Department director-general to discuss the murder which is likely to develop into a major international political row, possibly leading to a confrontation between Thailand and Burma. The Prime Minister's statement was made amid streams of conflicting accounts on the murder case released by various related agencies including the Burmese Embassy. The stories quoted by Interior Ministry sources and the Burmese Embassy were different in terms of the number of crewmen killed and missing but both concluded that Thai fishermen of Narong Canning Co had carried out the killing. According to the ministry the Thai fishermen became infuriated after learning that Burmese crewmen had in formed the Burmese authorities they had illegal communications equipment which was later seized. They later allegedly killed four Burmese crewmen. Based on the embassy's account, the Thai fishermen had by taking in the kind of marine animals which they were not allowed to catch. Burmese crewmen reported this to Burmese authorities which demanded an inspections of Thai vessel. Angry that the Burmese seamen had failed to keep a tight lip, the Thai fishermen began assaulting 18 of them. At least five of them were brutally beaten and thrown overboard. The murder reportedly prompted the Burmese authorities to temporarily close down the passage between Victoria Point and Ranong. The travel ban is still effective. The Thai Government and the Defence Ministry have set up fact- finding committees to investigate the incident in the hope of quickly "clearing the air"to prevent the matter from getting out of hand. Mr Banharn said he has instructed local authorities in Ranong to impose stricter measures to force Thai fishermen to strictly follow the fishing law. The problem, if left unabated, will certainly hurt the relationship with Burma. The Government has sent a team of delegates from the Foreign Ministry to Burma in the hope of finding ways to ease tension arising from the murder case, said the Prime Minister in response to questions on how he planned to settle the growing conflict between the two countries which is likely to deteriorate. He maintained the Government has not been passive in pressing for the capture of the suspects. So far, the police have arrested many suspects and accomplices and they have all been questioned. The Prime Minister gave his personal assurance the related agencies including the Foreign Ministry have done their best to remedy the border problem. He expressed confidence Gen Chavalit's official visit to Burma would help cool down the degree of hostility and improve the border situation. Mr. Suchart yesterday arrived in Ranong to listen to a summary of the incident and progress made in the investigation. He later visited Narong Canning Co to inspect the vessel JV 44 where the murder was believed to have taken place. The fishing boat was seized as evidence. The case has destabilised relations between the two countries. Mr Suchart said he has instructed provincial police to step up efforts towards arresting all 11 suspects. It was reported the owner of Narong Canning Co was required to pay compensation for damage resulting from the killing to Burmese authorities. This is seen as one way of putting a cap in the heated border conflict. Gen Chavalit stress the importance of resolving the murder problem in a transparent manner to restore Burma's trust. The murderers must face stern legal action. The Government did not order a prompt investigation into the murder just so he could to Burma "with ease," said the Defence Minister, adding it was the Government's obligation to correct wrongdoing. The Army has, for a long time, maintained strong ties with its Burmese counterpart. The Government is hoping to forge better relations with Burma at the local level. There must be measures to deal with companies which only look for opportunities to take advantage by exhausting the natural resources of neighbouring countries. "Trouble makers must be wipe out," he said. Gen Chavalit declined to comment on speculation that some senior officials gaining huge benefits from the border trade have caused the investigation into the case to be delayed. He opposed the idea of permanently cutting ties between the two countries. He refused to elaborate on details of his visit to Burma. It was reported the murder incident was urgently added to the agenda of his visit. He foresaw no problem in rising the problems with Burmese Government because he acquainted with many high-ranking Burmese officials. Gen Chavalit was confident the takls would be "smooth" but said people should not expect too much from his visit. Assistant Army Commander-in-chief Chetha Thanacharo said the case was not likely to effect Thai-Burma relations because Thailand has tried to quicken the place of the investigation. He downplayed the border closure order, saying Burma reserved the right to shut down the border pass if it felt there was still uncertainty in the murder incident. "It is impossible that a personal confllict between a handful of people would have negative effects on Thai-Burma relations," said Gen Chetha. He said minor incidents happen all the time along the border and in the water. Thailand has tried its best to solve the problem. Meanwhile, Thai tourists and business have been barred from crossing into Victory point, halting the normally bustling border trade. ===== item ===== DEPT BLAME THAIS FOR MURDER OF BURMESE FISHERMEN The Nation/17.8.95 The Fishery Department has confirmed a report that Thai fishermen were behind the brutal killing of at least six brutal killing of at least six Burmese crewmen on a Thai fishing vessel. According to the latest report released by the Fishery Department, six bodies of the Burmese fishermen have been found while nine others are still missing after Thai crewmen allegedly carried out the murder on August 6. The incident occurred after Burmese authorities boarded the JV 44 owned by the Myanmar Narrong Company, an affiliate of Narong Canning Company. Narrong Canning co-invested with Burma's Fishery Department to form Myanmar Narong. Burmese authorities took away 10 Burmese nationals for interrogation following complaints about alleged violations of the fishing agreement between Thailand and Burma. The report said Burmese fishermen informed their authorities that Narong Canning Company had unloaded fish onto other Thai vessels before arriving at port to distribute half the amount of fish caught to Burmese officials. After the authorities left the vessel, a group of Thai fishermen allegedly began assaulting 18 Burmese seamen. Plodprasop surawadi, The Fishery Department director-general, said he had received confirmation from various agencies including the Army, The Thai Embassy in Burma, Ranong provincial officials and his department's investigation team that a group of Thai fishermen were responsible for killing the Burmese crewmen. The murder took place on board the JV 44, he said. Although there was no concrete evidence to identify the guilty parties, the Narong Canning Company, owned by narong Phibunpattana, must be held accountable for the incident because the murder allegedly happened on the company's fishing vessel. "It is a matter that deals with human lives and the company should show consideration for the families of the dead instead of shirking its responsibility," said Mr Plodprasop. The company, he claimed, was also reluctant to allow the Fishery Department to check its fishing licence. Also, the company never in formed the department it had employed foreign fishermen on its vessels. Thai companies under the fishing agreement are barred from selling or giving fish to other companies. Burmese authorities normally allow Burmese fishermen 25 days a month to work on Thai vessels and for Thai companies to fish in Burmese waters. The bilateral relationship between the two countries will be damaged unless the Thai Government shows sincerity in solving the problem based on fairness and justice. Issuing a warrant for the arrest of the suspects is one way of assuring Burma that Thailand has no intention of distorting the facts behind the murder in order to help its own people. Mr Narong earlier denied that his company owned the JV 44, saying the trawler was among a fleet of 48 rented trawlers used by Myanmar Narong Company. Surachet Ungkasuphong, Narong Canning assistant director, dismissed reports his company was involved in the brutal killing, saying it was the result of a personal conflict between Thai and Burmese seamen. Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Monthon Kraiwatnusorn, who said companies wanting to fish overseas from now on have to obtain Fishery Department permission and give details of fishing agreements made with their partners. There are many illegal fishermen among the 4,000 or so Thai crewmen fishing overseas, according to Mr Surachet, who oversees the Fishery Department. He and a group of Foreign Ministry officials will mediate in the fishing row to clear up any misunderstanding between the Thai private sector and the Burmese Government. Agriculture Minister Montri Pongpanich said he would consult with the Interior and Defence ministers on how to sort out growing tension between the two countries. "Violation of the fishing agreement will not develop into such a big matter if we have maintained close friendship with the Burmese Government. Instead of improving relations with the Government, we seem to be seeking connection with its opponents," he said. ===== item ===== CHAVALIT READIES FOR BURMA VISIT WITH BORDER TRIP The Nation/ 17.8.95 WASSANA NANUAM SOMCHIT RUNGCHAMRATRASMEE The Nation DEFENCE Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will make a one-day trip to northern Mae Sot tomorrow to study the problems along the Thai-Burmese border which have strained relations between the two countries. The trip will be a fact-finding mission in preparation for Chavalit's scheduled visit to Burma on Sept 1, during which he will try to mend Thai -Burmese relations. Chavalit, also deputy prime minister, will be accompanied by Assistant Army Chief Gen Chetha Thanajaro, and together they will attend a briefing given by the Army's Task Force 34 in Mae Sot. The Army plans to televise Chavalit's trip via satellite to Army headquarters in Bangkok, where reporters could ask the Bangkok, where reporters could ask the minister on-the -spot questions. The one-hour press conference is scheduled for 12 pm. Chavalit, who has established close ties with the leaders of the Burmese military junta, rescheduled the meeting of the Defence Council from Friday to today, giving him time to study all of the border problems before his trip. In Mae Sot, meanwhile, Karen guerrilla leader Gen Bo Mya last Sunday met a group of Karen mediators sent from Rangoon by the junta to investigate the possibility of peace talks to end the armed conflict between the two groups. Thai military sources, who declined to reveal the content of the one-hour meeting quoted Bo Mya as urging the junta, known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council, to first halt its military operation against the Karen National Union. The Guerrilla leader then asked Slorc to withdraw its forces from KNU controlled areas before both sides begin a peace dialogue. Bo Mya, according to the sources, met the three mediators at a KNU base opposite Thailand's Umphang district in Tak province. The three mediators were identified as U Khun Myint, U Thun Aung Sin, a former professor at Rangoon University, and Aye Soe Min, a former Karen MP during the reign of the Burmese Socialist Programme Party. The sources said after losing their Manerplaw headquarters and other strong -holds to Rangoon, the KNU lost some of its bargaining power and has been forced to drop conditions for entering into peace talks with Slorc. Dissident Burmese student leader Naing Aung said his organization, the All-Burma Students' Democratic Front, understood the KNU's need to enter into peace talks with Slorc. But he warned that any talks which do not encompass a political solution to the ethnic conflict would not bring about a lasting peace. The Thai sources said the KNU finished a central committee meeting last Friday and would begin a Congress meeting either yesterday of today. The central committee meeting proceeded very slowly because of the unsettled issue of a new KNU leadership, added the sources. While younger Karen leaders wanted their seniors to step down, the current leaders wanted their were still arguing they wanted to maintain their positions. The sources said Bo Mya had requested that he retain the paramount leadership until he had successfully concluded peace negotiations with Slorc. Bo Mya would then voluntarily step down However, the Karen army chief, Gen Tamalabaw, has quit the position and been replaced by the KNU's Sixth Brigade commander Gen Shwe Sai who was earlier tipped to succeed Bo Mya. ===== item ===== THAILAND OFFER CONDOLENCES OVER BURMESE DEATHS 16 AUGUST 1995, The Nation The Foreign Ministry is expected to send "a letter of condolence" to Rangoon in the weak of last week's alleged murder of Burmese fishermen abroad a Thai vessel, an incident which has seriously strained bilateral ties, a government source said yesterday. The Bangkok-based Burmese ambassador will be informed of Thai land's sincere desire to resolve the incident when the envoy pays a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Kasem S Kasemsri in the near future, the source said. "The letter could be signed by the foreign minister or Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-archa himself," he said. According to the Supreme Command's Information Division, two Thais identified as Kamsai Kaenkaew and Porn, whose surname was not given, were arrested in connection with the murders. Yesterday the bodies of two more Burmese fishermen were swept ashore on Son island near Kawthaung, bringing the total number of dead to four. Their wrists and ankles were tied with rope and their bodies were covered with bruises and cuts. A Burmese survivor of the incident, speaking to Thai authorities in Ranong yesterday, recounted that on August 6 he was abroad one of three fishing vessels owned by the Myanmar-Narong Canning Company when they were informed that the Burmese government had revoked the firm's fishing licence. The MNC is a joint venture between the Narong Canning Company and the Burmese Fisheries Department. "There were at that time 28 Burmese on the vessel I boarded, including those who were simply Burmese villagers who asked for a ride. Thais using knives and iron bars circled us and forced us to lie down," the Burmese man, whose name was not revealed, said. After the Thais tied the wrists and ankles of the Burmese, they were beaten with the iron bars around the knees and some of them were stabbed, the Burmese man said, adding that they were then thrown into the sea. The Burmese survivor alerted the authorities in Kawthaung of the murder after managing to swim back to the shore, also known as Victoria Point. As of yesterday, 13 Burmese fishermen who had escaped after the incident and 11 others remained missing. Earlier, the bodies of two Burmese crewmen were swept ashore near Tathay Island south of Rangoon in Kawthaung. Initial reports had it that a group of Thais killed the Burmese because they had alerted the Burmese authorities to illegal activities being carried out by the Thai fishing company. Rangoon consequently scrapped a joint venture deal with the MNC after the allegations were proven. Other Thai-Burmese fishing firms have also been affected the incident as Burma ordered them to report immediately to the authorities. Yesterday more than 600 fishing vessels and ferry boats were seen anchored in Ranong port. Meanwhile, an official in Ranong claimed 5,000 armed Burmese troops have been deployed in the area to prevent Thai vessels from entering Burmese waters. A team set up to probe the murders will visit Ranong province today and, if approved by Rangoon, will travel to Kawthaung in Burma to gather information on the case, an Interior Ministry official said. Deputy Interior Minister Suchart Tancharoen will also accompany the team. Rangoon's order to bar Thai vessels from entering its waters and close the Kawthaung-Ranong temporary checkpoint has completely sealed the Thai-Burmese border after the earlier closure of checkpoints in Tak and Chiang Rai provinces. The source said to ensure the Burmese government of the degree of seriousness and sincerity Thailand has attached to the case, Banharn is expected to handle the matter personally. Meanwhile, Narong Piboonthanapatna, president of Narong Canning, yesterday said the vessels involved in the murders off Kawthaung have been fishing under his company's licence but it was not involved in the incident. "We were in operation for only about a month before the murders took place. The company submitted a letter to the Fisheries Department of Burma, detailing what happened. It seemed to us that the Burmese have a greater understanding of the issue," Narong said. Although Narong Canning was not involved in the murders, it has informed the Burmese government it is ready to assist the rela tives of the victims, he said. Earlier, the Rangoon government ordered the closure of two tempo rary checkpoints, one in Chiang Rai linked to Burma's Tachilek and one in Tak's Mae Sot district linked to Myawaddy in Burma. The closures stemmed from Rangoon's suspicions that Thailand harboured Burmese ethnic minorities, including troops of drug warlord Khun Sa. The Burmese government failed to react to leaflets which have been distributed in its border provinces urging the Burmese people to boycott Thai products and buy exports from other coun tries. Meanwhile, Ranong Chamber of Commerce president Somchai Iamjit said more Thais were expected to arrested in the case. According to Somchai, Burma has demanded that the Thai fishing company pay compensation for the incident and the Thai government take the incident seriously. (TN) ===== item ===== UN ENVOY MEETS SUU KYI AND BURMA FOREIGN MINISTER 16 AUGUST 1995, The Nation United Nation deputy secretary-general Alvaro de Soto met Burma's foreign minister and recently released opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday, official media and eyewitnesses said. De Soto, on a week-long visit to Burma, was expected to raise questions of restoration of democracy in the southeast Asian nation, following Suu Kyi's release from house arrest last month. Burma's state-run television, reporting De Soto's meeting with foreign minister Ohn Gyaw, gave no details of the talks. De Soto was seen entering the house of Nobel Peace prize winner Suu Kyi. He stayed for more than two hours but made no comments to reporters as he left the compound. Suu Kyi was unexpectedly released from nearly six years of house arrest by the military government last month. She says she aims to restore democracy in Burma. De Soto, who on a previous visit was refused permission to see Suu Kyi, was expected to meet powerful military intelligence chief Khin Nyunt later this week, government officials said. Although Suu Kyi has appealed for talks with military leaders, not date has yet been set for formal talks to begin. She said at a recent news conference she had contact with the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), but would give no further details. Slorc officials have made no comment on Suu Kyi's release and have given no indication when or if talks might begin. Kodo adds: Alvero de Soto, who arrived in Rangoon on Sunday to deliver a message from Boutros-Ghali, met Immigration and Popula tion Minister Lt-Gen Maung Hla and Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw on Monday. The visit is one of several such attempts by foreign authorities to put pressure on the leaders of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) to agree to talks with Aung San Suu Kyi. (TN) ===== item ===== RANONG TRADERS URGE IMPROVED BURMA TIES 16 AUGUST 1995, The Nation The Thai Chamber Commerce yesterday urged government to improve its relationship with Burma before the situation deteriorates further. The recent closing of the Ranong-Victoria Point border crossing is likely to limit trade between the two countries and affect the Thai fishery in Ranong, said Somkiart Sathajit, chairman of Ranong Border Trade Group. In the past, the value of Thai exports to Burma through Ranong were valued at Bt5 billion, while imported fish from Burma was worth Bt20 billion. "But this two way-trade vanished overnight," Somkiart said. Speaking at a roundtable talk on the "Future of the Thai Fishery Industry under the New Government," Photipong Lamsam, president of Thai Chamber of Commerce said: "The essence of the problem is unfriendly relations between the countries." The border closing was prompted by this fundamental factor, which is out of the hands of the private sector, Photipong said. Photipong added that he will discuss the issue with the Foreign Minister next week. Burma closed the Victoria Point crossing on August 10, because of allegations that Burmese employees were killed by NCC Asia Fishery Industries Co Ltd. Photipong also expressed concerned about the morality of Thai trawling companies which often breach contracts with host coun tries. "We, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, cannot impose a penalty on anyone but we want all Thai investors to follow proper business etiquette," he said. Photipong led the Thai mission to Burma in February, in which he assured the Burmese that the Thai Chamber of Commerce supported only Thai operators which act in a fair business manner toward Burma. The situation at Ranong has alarmed Thai investors. They fear Burma may stop granting fishing licences to Thai trawlers. Somkiart said there are 4-5 Thai trawlers hoping to receive licences by next week. The Thai trawling companies have already invested in a refrigerated storage facility and property in Marid and Taway. Ranong depends on the fishery and related industries and will suffer the most from the border closing, he said. Tourists, who used to spend about Bt1 million per day, also went away, he added. Many Thai trawlers are engaging in joint fishing ventures with Burma, Indonesia, India and Vietnam because of depleted fish stocks in Thai waters. Udon Choiterapunbul, president of the Thai Overseas Fisheries Association has urged the government to create a fund to help the trawling companies build a modern fishing feet. He said that Thai ships are too small and constructed of wood, which makes it very difficult to catch fish in foreign waters. Trawling companies need larger, steel ships but cannot build them without financial support from the government, said Udon. (TN) ===== item ===== MALARIA CASES LINKED TO BURMA 16 AUGUST 1995, The Nation The Public Health Ministry plans to hold talks with Burmese officials on methods of curbing the spread of malaria along the Thai-Burmese border. Deputy Minister Sora-at Klinpratum said 60 per cent of people suffering from malaria in Thailand were illegal immigrant work ers, most of whom were Burmese and Cambodians living near Thai land's western and eastern borders. "It is very difficult to eliminate malaria from Thailand, espe cially from those border provinces where there are a lot of immigrant workers and political refugees," he said. Sora-at named Tak, Kanchanaburi, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Trat, Chantaburi, Prachuab Kiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Ranong and Ubon Ratchathari as the provinces suffering from the most rapid spread of malaria in the country. "Therefore, we have to move in the same direction with our neigh bours to solve the problem. Otherwise, we would still have to bear the burden of the treatment costs of those workers," he asserted. But the deputy minister did not set a time frame for the talks, saying the date of the meeting was still unknown due to political uncertainties in Burma. He also did not mention any dates for talks with Cambodian offi cials. The Department of Epidemics reported there were 51,606 malaria patients in the country last year. Among them, 33,366, or 60 per cent, were immigrant workers. The record showed that about 400,000 immigrants receive health treat ment in Thailand annually. (TN) ===== item ===== ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS WARNED 16 AUGUST 1995, Bangkok Post The Burmese Government has warned ethnic minority groups to abide with its orders so as to maintain peace and stability along the Thai-Burmese border, an informed source in Mae Hong Son said. The target groups told to abide by the orders are the Red Wa, Kachins, Kayahs and Paos. Released yesterday, the orders demanded that they not deal with outlawed ethnic minority groups, not to interfere in Burma's internal politics, not to keep arms and military forces, and not to raid and collect tax from people along the border. They are also not allowed to mobilise their forces along with other groups, expect in government-controlled areas. (BP) ===== item ===== MODEL STATE BURMA'S GENERALS WANT INDONESIAN-STYLE POLITICS 17 August 1995, FEER Asean officials see the release of Burmese dissident Aung San Suu Kyi as a triumph for the organization's much-maligned policy of constructive engagement. For their part, Western diplomats and other analysts insist that constructive engagement would never have worked if their own governments had not wielded a big stick. Who's right? Possibly both sides. if world opinion did play a significant role in Suu Kyi's release, it probably did so through the combined effects of both approaches. The advantage of one group of countries having a tougher line and the other staying more in the middle is you have the chance of getting the two things working together, notes one Jakarta based diplomat. If it was only constructive engagement, then nothing much would have happened. Still, that hasn't stopped Asean from claiming a lion's share of the credit. Burma is giving Asean live ammunition to show Western countries that its policy is working, one Asean official said soon after Rangoon's military rulers released Suu Kyi. The Indonesians are especially pleased. As an Asean member and current head of the 112 nation Non-Aligned Movement, Jakarta has played a pivotal role in liaising between Rangoon and the rest of the world. In turn Rangoon, with at least 11 accredited diplomats in the Indonesian capital, has used its Jakarta embassy to chan nel its views out to the region. Why the special relationship? Asean officials note the shared traditions of the Indonesian and Burmese militaries. Both strug gled to win independence from colonial masters, and both have had to deal with rebellions threatening national unity. More significantly, both wield strong political power in their respective countries. Indeed, Burma's leaders are strongly drawn to the Indonesian concept of Dwifungsi, or dual function, which gives the armed forces an institutionalized role in political life. The Burma-indonesia connection goes back many decades. Although there was never any direct between the two countries' nationalist movements during colonial days, Burma sent a "representative," Thakin Tha Kin, to Jakarta following its independence from Brit ish rule in 1948. He noted the many similarities between the two nations, especially in the roles of their independence armies. Little wonder, then, that Indonesia served as the ideological inspiration behind the Burmese military's demands for political power in the 1950s. Indeed, a document entitled "The National Ideology and the Role of the Defence Services" adopted by the burmese military in 1958 strongly resembled Indonesia's dwifungsi. Where the Burmese military went wrong was in nationalizing most businesses when it seized power in 1962, an act that was to run the economy into the ground. The mistake was belatedly corrected following the September 1988 coup. now Burma's leaders appear to be looking to Indonesia once again as a model for a system in which they would allow Suu Kyi only a marginal role at best. In December 1993 Burmese Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw told his Indonesian counterpart Ali Alatas that Burma was interested in dwifungsi and wanted to learn more about Indonesia's constitu tion. Subsequently, the guidelines the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council, or Slorc, imposed on the farmers of burma's new constitution underlined the military's "leading role in national politics." One requirement was that military appointees occupy 25% of the seats in the national and state assemblies. Still, the Indonesians have not been reluctant to speak their mind. In the early 1990s, Rangoon found itself in hot water with Indonesia and its other Muslim neighbours when 250,000 Burmese Muslims fled to Bangladesh to escape human-rights abuses by Burmese troops. More recently, Indonesia apparently gave Burma another quiet nudge. Well-placed Indonesian sources say that during visits to Jakarta by Burma's intelligence chief Khin Nyunt in December 1993 and by Slorc chairman Than Shwe in June, Defence minister Edi Sudradjat privately urged the Burmese to allow officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit political prisoners - something the ICRC is permitted to do in Indonesia. His message tied in with that of Foreign Minister Alatas, who on a February 1994 visit to Rangoon told Ohn Gyaw that Indonesia wanted to help break Burma's political isolation. Three months after the Alatas visit, an Indonesian delegation led by Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade Hartarto, Commu nications Minister Haryanto Dhanutirto and Tourism and Post and Telecommunications Minister Joop Ave went to Rangoon. Among a group of businessmen accompanying the ministers was Hutomo Mandala Putra, President Suharto's son and owner of the Humpuss business group. "Tommy" Suharto, as he is better known, has been trying to secure a timber concession in Burma for a Sulawesi based company he helped establish in 1986-87. Forestry is only one area of possi ble agreed to look into cooperation in aviation, telecommunica tions and natural gas exploration. Yet, in private conversations with foreign diplomats, the Indone sians have made it clear that they don't want to be too closely associated with Rangoon's evolving system of governance. They say they have stressed to their Burmese counterparts that the concept of dwifungsi was born of Indonesia's unique history, and that it is still being debated today-a reference to the way in which the military's political profile has been lowered in the past two years. "The Indonesians are not terribly comfortable about it all," says one diplomat. "They don't really want to be seen to be promoting dwifungsi outside the country." (FEER) ===== item ===== BESIEGED KHUN SA RESHUFFLES POSTS TO PATCH UP INTERNAL RIFTS 18 September 1995, The Nation Burma's embattled opium warlord Khun Sa has reshuffled his leadership in an attempt to patch up an internal rift as he prepares to face a coordinated assault from his main opium growing rivals and Burmese government forces, guerrilla sources said yesterday. Sources in Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA) and its political wing said the opium warlord had introduced a "collective leadership with the formation of an administrative council," said Khwan Mong, a veteran Shan nationalist appointed secretary-general of the new council at a weekend meeting. Others appointed to top posts in the newly-formed 11-member Shan State Administrative Council (SSAC) were Kan Chit, also a veteran Shan nationalist who was made chairman and Zam Mai, another respected veteran appointed first vice chairman. Khun Sa's long-time right-hand man, Chang Shu-chuan, a former Chinese nationalist soldier who is also known by the Shan name Sao Hpalang, was made a second vice chairman of the new council, behind the Shan nationalists, in an apparent move to defuse growing Shan resentment of Chinese influence in the MTA. But one Shan political source dismissed the changes as cosmetic, designed to placate frustrated young Shan nationalists. "Khun Sa will never give up power. Appointing that committee means nothing at all, he only did it to save his skin, to please some young Shan," the former guerrilla commander now exiled in Thailand told Reuters. The changes follow the breakaway of several thousand MTA guerrillas who mutinied against Khun Sa in frustration with what they saw as his preoccupation with the drugs trade and neglect of the Shan nationalist movement, guerrilla sources said. But Khwan Mong denied the new leadership structure had anything to do with last month's mutiny. "The change has happened because we think it is the time to change. It's nothing to do with the breakaway group," Khwan Mong said. An MTA source said Shan guerrillas were continuing to defect from Khun Sa's army and the total number has increased to more than 3,000. "These young people who have strong will to fight for the independence of Shan state have realized that Khun Sa does not do as he promises," a senior MTA source said. Khun Sa says his MTA has a total strength of 25,000. Shan sources put his number of well-armed fighters at more than 3,000. His internal difficulties came as Burmese forces and Khun Sa's main opium trade rivals from the Wa ethnic minority guerrilla army were preparing to launch an offensive against Khun Sa's main base areas in southern Shan state. After years of neglecting the opium warlord, Burmese government troops attacked Khun Sa's strongholds in late 1993 and intermittent fighting, at times heavy, has continued. Wa fighters, also seeking their own state within a federal Burma, have clashed regularly with Khun Sa's forces in recent years over opium smuggling routes. (TN) ===== item ===== THAI SKIPPER, KHMER CREWMAN CONFESS TO KILLING BURMESE 18 August 1995, The Nation A Thai and a Khmer have confessed to beating to death five Burmese fishermen out of anger because they informed Burmese authorities that their Thai vessel possessed illegal fishing equipment, according to a senior provincial police officer. Col Chuwong Wattanodorn, deputy Ranong police chief, yesterday named the two men as Khamasai Kaenkaew, skipper of the vessel JV44, and Porn, or Mars Sunsuankim, a Khmer crew member. The two confessed during interrogation that they were involved in the murder of five Burmese fishermen on board the JV47 on Aug 6. The fishing boat was one of two boats belonging to the Narong Canning Co. The two suspects confessed that they along with 10 other Thai crew members jointly attacked their 15 Burmese colleagues, but 10 managed to jump overboard and escape. The remaining five were beaten to death with steel water pipes and thrown into the sea. Chuwong quoted both Khamsai and Porn as saying the assailants were driven to attack the victims because one of the Burmese men had alerted Burmese authorities in Mergui to the fact the ship contained illegal equipment. The equipment included such items as high-frequency communications radios and fine-mesh net, which is used to catch prawns. The Burmese authorities subsequently revoked the JV44's fishing licence and the crew and their vessel were ordered to leave Burmese territorial waters. The colonel said Ranong police station issued arrest warrants for another 10 Thai suspects, including the skipper of the JV47, Sunthorn Kaewsongduang, who led the attack on the Burmese. The two suspects, who returned to Ranong after interrogation by Burmese authorities at Burma's Victoria Point, or Kawthaung, are now being held at Pak Nam Provincial Police Station. Police have forbidden any contact with them by the media. Fishing industrialists in Ranong said the attackers held strong suspections that the Burmese victims were in fact "informers for Burmese authorities". They said the men were seen providing tip-offs, leading to previous seizures of Thai vessels for fishing illegally in Burma. The entrepreneurs also complained the abrupt closure of the checkpoint between Ranong and Victoria Point by Burmese officials after the violent attack had adversely affected the province's trading, boat transport, fishing and tourist industries. He also denied that Burmese authorities in Victoria Point would use two Thai boat operators - Buri Jermsang, 23 and Paisarn Thaweeboonrungrueng, 24, - as bargaining chips in the murder case. The two men were arrested on July 31 for illegal entry into Burma and have been detained ever since. "It is not true they were arrested. The [Burmese] military chief there is looking after them," said Wimol. A group of Ranong boat operators yesterday petitioned provincial Governor Sathit Saengsi to secure the release of Buri and Paisarn because they feared Burmese authorities would attack them in retaliation for the murder of the Burmese fishermen. Buri's father, Daeng Chuansong, said the arrest of his son came in retaliation for an earlier arrest of two Burmese by Thai police in charges of smuggling cigarettes. The two Burmese were violently attacked before a large crowd of about 100 Burmese labourers and fishermen. Sathit has pledged to follow the case closely and immediately contact Burmese officials to help secure their release. Paisarn's father , Somsak Thaweeboonrungrueng, said Burmese officials have demanded that Thailand have over the two suspected Burmese smugglers in exchange for two Thai illegal immigrants. Members of the border trade chamber in Ranong have agreed to donate Bt2 million each to Burmese authorities as compensation for the deaths of the Burmese. They want the case quickly resolved because the local economy had been badly damaged since the Burmese shut down the checkpoint. (TN) ===== item ===== CHAVALIT HAS HIS WORK CUT OUT ON MISSION TO BURMA 18 August 1995, The Nation Yindee Lartcharoenchok Defence Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is betting on his close personal connection with the Burmese junta when he leaves early next month for Ranong on a highly-significant mission. At stake is a stormy Thai-Burmese relationship, now at one of its lowest points after a series of border conflicts and most recently the murder of at least two Burmese fishermen. The former Army commander-in-chief is bearing a heavy but ambitious responsibility, hoping that the reunion and his usual style of tete-a-tete talks with the Burmese leaders, some of whom he calls "brothers"", will bear fruit so he can triumphantly bring home good news. Both the government of Prime Minister r Banharn Silpa-archa and the Thai armed forces have put their confidence in Chavalit, who offered immediately after his ministerial appointment last month to travel to Burma to try to reverse the current tide of Burmese anger and hostility against Thailand. Efforts by the previous Chuan administration and leading military officers failed to appease the ruling Burmese State Law and Order restoration Council (Slorc), Which has steadily imposed a number of punitive measures and restrictions that hurt Thai economic interests in Burma. Speaking in separate interviews, military officers and senior bureaucrats are still uncertain as to the actual causes behind the sudden surge of Burmese resentment, but they suspect there are several factors involved. Slorc's suspiciousness about Thailand's Burma policy is believed to be a leading cause. The Kingdom has tried, without much success, to convince its neighbours that the outdated security-oriented and "double-edged" Thai foreign diplomacy based on strong anti-communism sentiment in the 1950s has really been replaced with a policy that respects mutual sovereignty and guarantees peaceful coexistence and collective prosperity. Unconvinced, Slorc has often tested Thai sincerity and credibility with its repeated calls for Thailand to halt its alleged covert assistance to anti-Rangoon ethnic guerrilla groups and pro-democracy Burmese dissident movements. Bangkok has denied the charges, saying the country is pursuing a non-interference policy and explaining that the aid and refuge given to tens of thousands of Burmese ethnic and political fugitives was provided according to international humanitarian principles. Thailand has deliberately omitted mention of Slorc's protests, often delivered with back-up evidence, over Thailand's provision of residences of Thai soil to a number of guerrilla leaders. Slorc leaders were upset with Thailand's continuing support for the Karen National Union (KNU), which has been waging an war for autonomy against Rangoon for close to 50 years. And they were furious with the refusal by Thai officers in Mae Sai to hand over a death squad team of opium warlord Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA) which made a lightning raid on the booming Burmese border town of Tachilek on March 20. A week after the MTA attack, the Slorc ordered the indefinite closure of border passage between Tachilek and Mae Sai and subsequently imposed a travel ban. Thai efforts to alleviate the tremendous local economic loss by opening five temporary crossings to facilitate the export of Thai goods campaign and the shutdown early this month of passages on the Burmese side. A similar anti-Thailand campaign was launched in Myawaddy, another important border checkpoint, opposite Tak's Mae Sot district. At the height of the Burmese military offensive against the KNU stronghold of Kawmoora in February, the Slorc accused Thailand of obstructing its operation and threatened to retaliate by closing the border and suspending construction on the Thai-Burmese bridge across the Moei River. After official Thai protests over repeated Burmese territorial violations and the abduction on Feb 9 of senior KNU civilian leaders from a Thai refugee camp, the Slorc on March 5 abruptly ordered the immediate closure of the Myawaddy-Mae Sot crossing and banned the import of Thai goods. Mae Sot traders believed the move was in retaliation for alleged Thai support for the Karen guerillas. Between April and early May, tension along the border worsened as the Burmese forces and a breakaway KNU faction continued to defy Thai warnings and repeatedly intruded into Thailand. After the Thai Army launched lightning attacks in May on dissident Karen guerrilla bases in Burma, the Slorc on June 7 ordered the suspension of construction on the nearly-completed Bt80 million Moei bridge. The anti-Thai goods campaign subsequently intensified , enforced through a strict travel ban and the prohibition of the sale and use of Thai products. Troops carried out random house searches and checked convoys suspected to transporting Thai goods, seizing any products found and punishing violators. Initially, Thai officials were hopeful that the tough Burmese measures were restricted only to the northern region. It seemed to be business as usual at the last remaining crossing - between coastal Ranong province and Burma's Victoria Point, or Kawthaung, - which serves the multi-billion-baht fishing and tourism industries. But Slorc recently proved again it never hesitate to translate its resentment into concrete action. Alleged brutality against a group of Burmese seamen and the subsequent murder on Aug 6 of at least two of them, whose hands and feet had been bound with rope aboard a Thai fishing boat, prompted the Slorc to close the Victoria Point-Ranong crossing. Closure of the three official checkpoints virtually sealed of the 2,300-km Thai-Burmese frontier. While the Burmese border economy has also been adversely affected by the closures, Thailand knowns that it stands to suffer most from the stand- off. Senior Thai officials believe what makes the border problems harder to solve is the Thai private sector's "arrogant" attitude - the belief that it is Burma that needs Thailand politically and economically, not the other way round. Rangoon's latest message is being taken seriously here. Although the murder case - unlike the disputes and conflicts in northern Thailand which involved government and military personnel from both sides - was apparently a local affair, the Thai administration has realized the economic repercussions of Burma's hardline stand and is moving quickly to try to patch the widening rifts. Despite the fact that several government ministers and military leaders have expressed sincere regret over the mishap to justice, Premier Banharn knew that he needed to intervene personally to show the government's political will and seriousness to resolve the problem. Chavalit, also deputy premier, will carry Banharn's personal message of condolence and regret to Slorc when he makes a two- day visit to Rangoon on Sep 1-2. While Chavalit has played down his Burma trip, saying that it is an "ordinary and "semi- official" visit, the government and armed forces remain hopeful that the former Army chief will be able to use his personal contacts with Slorc leaders as leverage to placate Burma's anger and to repair the damaged relations. Thai critics and senior officials remain skeptical as to what Rangoon will demand in return for reopening the border and the resumption of construction on the Thai-Burmese bridge. Chavalit has already despatched close aide and confidante, Gen Pat Akranibutr, to Rangoon to prepare for his trip. Although his task will not be easy, official sources believe that Chavalit, who is known for his clever give-and-take negotiating skills, will bring which him some "irresistible offers" to the Slorc and will return home with victorious fanfare. It is premature to predict what Chavalit's "goodwill gifts" might be, but speculation has revolved around the sort of things that Rangoon is known to want, such as sincere cooperation in cracking down on ethnic insurgency. (TN) ===== item ===== CHAVALIT: DON'T LET KILLING OF SEAMEN HURT TIES WITH RANGOON 18 AUGUST 1995, Bangkok Post Thailand should not jump to the conclusion that the killing of Burmese seamen was premeditated by a mastermind as this could deepen the rift in Thai-Burmese relations, warned Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday. The New Aspiration Party leader made the statement to counter the Ranong provincial governor's suspicion that last week's murder of a number of Burmese crewmen may have been more complex than it appeared, believing it was planned beforehand. Gen Chavalit said the investigation into the murder would soon uncover the facts behind the case which has hurt relations between Thailand and Burma. It is feared that the murder problem may also cost Thailand dearly in terms of mutual fishing interests with Burma. It has been alleged that a group of at last 11 Thai fishermen killed four Burmese crewmen on board the former's vessel owned by the Narong Canning Co. According to an earlier report by the Burmese embassy, the violation of a fishing agreement had sparked a disagreement between the Thai fishermen and Burmese workers which led to the brutal murder, said to have taken place off Burma's Kawthaung, also known as Victoria Point. So far, traffic between border passes in Ranong and Victoria Point has been suspended. Senior Interior Ministry officials and local authorities have been assigned to work virtually around the clock to probe the murder incident and find the suspects to show Burma that Thailand has no intention of turning a blind eye to the case. Gen Chavalit, during his official visit to Burma next month, will pass on a message from Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa regarding the controversial murder case to the leader of the Burmese government. Mr Banharn's message to Burma is seen as an immediate measure to prevent any further possible damage to relations between the two countries. Ge Chavalit said the authorities of both countries have set up their own working groups to carry out investigations into the murder. He repeated that Burma and Thailand still enjoyed a close relationship, adding both countries have always been sincere in their attempts to solve problems together. As the border passes in Ranong remain closed it is impossible to travel into Burma at this time. He made light of a report that Burmese fishermen may seek revenge by attacking Thai citizens travelling into Burma, saying the people of both countries have always maintained a mutual understanding and a warm relationship. Burma is waiting to see how Thailand settles the murder problem, said Gen Chavalit, adding "the wrongdoers must be arrested and face drastic legal action." The suspects, if convicted of the murder, could face death sentences. The deputy prime minister proposed that the fishing agreement between both countries be adjusted to force Thai companies fishing in Burmese waters to transport their catches to a Burmese port so the share of marine animals can be determined based on the agreement's conditions. The agreement requires Thai companies to distribute part of their catches to their Burmese partners. It is often the case that Thai fishing companies unload a large proportion of their fish catches onto small boats which then race back to a Thai port without being inspected by the Burmese authorities first. This is unfair for the Burmese companies as only a small proportion of the catches are left for them. Gen Chavalit also encouraged businessmen to look for further investment opportunities in Burma. Burma wants to attract more foreign investment in fish meal and ice production. "Burma is reaching out for our help to develop the country and we should show them our sincerity," said the deputy prime minister. He was confident that the Burmese government would not use the murder case as a pretext to bargain for advantages over Thailand during his official visit there next month. The meeting's agenda is based on the relationship at the national level and everyday happenings are not likely to affect the discussions. Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Wimol Wongwanich condemned the Thai fishermen who allegedly breached the fishing agreement, saying this indicated that some Thai businessmen only concentrated on gaining short term benefits. Greater efforts must be made to check on those working in the fishing industry. The Thai authorities must ensure justice for the Burmese fishermen caught up in the murder incident. Assistant Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Chetha Thanajaro said the problem would not worsen. A senior Burmese army official told him during a telephone conversation that Burma was well aware of Thailand's efforts to solve the murder case. Former Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan sympathised with the Government on the matter, saying the murder problem was a complicated one. He expressed disappointment that the Foreign Ministry was often the last agency to step in to oversee border problems. "So, it is necessary to give moral support and be sympathetic towards both the Government and Foreign Ministry which must keep finding solutions to all the various problems. Let us hope the (murder) problem does not become any worse than it already is," said the Democrat Party executive. He said he did not believe the border wrangle would develop into a major diplomatic rift requiring mediation by a third country. Bilateral negotiations would be sufficient to settle the on-going problems between the two countries. The personal relationship between Gen Chavalit and Slorc leaders may help reduce the tension along the border to a certain degree. Mr Surin said, cautioning, however, that personal contact would not be effective in permanently ending the international row. Everything must adhere to the process of formal diplomatic protocol, he said. (BP) ===== item ===== JUNTA AND KARENS 'LIKELY TO AGREE ON CEASEFIRE TERMS' 18 AUGUST 1995, Bangkok Post A ceasefire agreement is likely between Burma's ruling military junta and Karen National Union rebels, a Thai border source said yesterday. Suvicha Hiranyapruek, a secretary to Thailand's National Security Council chief Charan Kullavanijava, helped mediate for talks between three representatives of the junta, or State Law and Order restoration Council (Slorc) as it is officially known, and Gen Bo Mya, president of the KNU, the source said. The three Slorc representatives were Tun Mya, Tun Aung Kyi and Aye Soe Mya. The meeting took place at Ban Mae Klong in Tak's Umphang District on Tuesday. Also at the meeting were senior KNU officers including the movement's "forestry minister" Pa Do Aung, joint general secretary Maj Gen Maung Maung, chief of staff Maj Gen Ka Ze Doe, Division 4 commander Brig Gen Oliver, the source said. Both sides reportedly agreed during their two-hour talks there must be a "sincere" ceasefire. They also agreed to join hands in efforts to improve the welfare of their people who have long suffered from war, and to develop their country. The two sides will hold another round of talks in Pa-an, capital of Burma's Kawthoolei state before signing a ceasefire agreement. The agreement is expected to be signed by the Slorc's first general secretary Lt Gen Khin Nyunt and the KNU president. (BP) ===== item ===== HUNT CONTINUES FOR 9 MORE SUSPECTS IN TRAWELR MURDERS 18 AUGUST 1995, Bangkok Post Another nine suspects allegedly behind the brutal killing of five Burmese crewmen are still being sought by police and all risk capital punishment if found guilty. Ranong provincial police commander Pol Col Wanchai Somsak told the Bangkok Post he had instructed investigators to track down the nine Thai fishermen who had fled after the incident. Police sources said investigators believed the suspects who have been arrested, Khamsai and Krim or Chunsuan, confessed they had been ordered by a man named Somporn, the chief of the fishing crew of Maynmar Narong Company's JV 44 fishing vessel, to beat five Burmese crewmen with water pipes. Myanmar Narong is a joint venture between Burma and NCC Asian Fishery Co in which Narong Canning Co chairman Narong Pibunthanapattana has a personal stake. The suspects said the conflict between the JV 44's Thai fishermen and the Burmese crewmen began after the latter informed Burmese fishery officials that the Thai fishermen hired by the NCC Asian Fishery Company had cheated their Burmese partners. The accused said the Thai crew unloaded the fish caught from Burmese water onto other Thai vessels and used electronic fishing devices prohibited by the Burmese authorities. After being tipped off by some Burmese fishermen, Burmese officials inspected the fishing vessel on August 2 and seized some equipment before letting the boat and Thai crew go. The brutal killing took place after JV 44 encountered 15 Burmese fishermen on board another fishing vessel, JV 47 off Ranong Province. Ten of the Burmese crewmen jumped overboard while five were caught and beaten to death by the Thai fishermen. "The suspects confessed that they had tied their victims' hands and feet with ropes before cruelly beating them with water pipes until they died," said Pol Col Wanchai. Four bodies have been found by the officials while another one is still missing. Pol Col Wanchai said the police are expecting the victims' relatives and families to file charges against the suspects and demand that the company compensate them for their losses. The number of immigrant workers has been rapidly increasing after the Interior Ministry allowed aliens to seek employment in the provinces located along the Thai-Burmese border without receiving permission from immigration officials. Mr Sarant Petchpirun, the Foreign Fishery Affairs Division director, said the problem could have been prevented if the Burmese government let Thai officials screen the companies wishing to enter into fishing agreements with Burma. (BP) ===== item ===== ACADEMIC: HELP SOLVE MINORITIES' PROBLEM 18 AUGUST 1995, Bangkok Post Thailand and other regional states should play a role in solving Rangoon's problems with its ethnic minorities to restore democracy in Burma and ensure regional peace, an Australian academic said yesterday. Alan Smith, of Monash University's Asia Institute, contested Thailand's position that the ethnic minorities were Burma's internal problem and therefore off-limits to outsiders. The minorities' problem has obstructed democratisation in Burma, Mr Smith told a seminar held at Thammasat University to mark the 50th anniversary of Thai Peace Day. Through the almost half a century of disputes, Burma's neighbouring states have also been affected by the cross- border flights of refugees, he added. Therefore, Burma's neighbouring states "have an interest in promoting this burden-sharing" and forming a regional conflict resolution mechanism, Mr Smith said. "It is realistic to propose that in certain circumstances states may come to advocate the recognition that there is a legitimate role to play for the international community in ceases of internal conflict, especially ethnic conflict," he pointed out. Burma's neighbours should set up a regional conflict resolution mechanism through opening a new form or activating established institutions. The wider international community, through the United Nations or other regional bodies, should form "accessible, quasi- judicial" processes, he added. Academics, through personal contacts and institutional networks, should demonstrate to decision-makers their expert knowledge of the problems and creative ways to solve them, he said. Only after an effective mechanism for conflict resolution has been established could there be "meaningful dialogue," he said. The failure to solve the Burmese problem has so far stemmed from ignorance of their root causes and a lack of "concerted international pressure," he added. "To stop shooting is not enough," he said, opposing support for Rangoon's ceasefire arrangements with ethnic groups. "Thailand should consider more urgently how to promote critical dialogue in and about Burma concerning ethnic conflicts," he added. On the lack of unity in international efforts against the military junta, Mr Smith cited the varied responses to the July 10 release of Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. japan claimed the release was due to economic incentives given to the Burmese government, he noted. The United States said it was because Rangoon feared economic sanctions and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said the release was due to its policy of constructive engagement. Mr Smith spoke about critical dialogue and peace-making at a seminar entitled "Nonviolent Cultures and Peace-making in the World" organised by Thammasat University, the Peace Information Centre and the Foundation for Democracy and Development. (BP) ===== item ===== FREEDOM S CHALLENGE 24 jULY 1995, TIME INTERNATIONAL Aung San Suu Kyi is released after six years of house arrest. But how far will her liberty go? Freedom, As American Novelist Flannery O Connor wrote, cannot be conceived simply. Few could understand this better than Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma s chief dissident and winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize. Placed under house arrest by a military junta in 1989, Suu Kyi spent six years confined to her family s deteriorating lakeside bungalow in Rangoon. At any time she was free to get on a plane to join her husband and two children in London-knowing that the generals would never allow her back. That is a definition of freedom she refused to accept. When the junta made the surprise announcement last week that Suu Kyi, 50, was free after 2,190 days of incarceration, it was a constant stream of well-wishers, not guards, who kept her in the bungalow. Upon learning she was being released, Suu Kyi told Time, I said to myself, Well, I m free, but then I have always felt free. But how free is she-or will she remain? As the week went on, it became apparent that there was nothing simple, or certain, about Suu Kyi s liberty. Nor was there certainty that her freedom would extend to the other 45 million people of isolated and oppressed Burma. It was tempting to imahine a Burmese equivalent of the release of Nelson Mandela: in other words, a stirring signal that the 21 generals who govern the country through the State Law and Order Restoration Council, known by the acronym Slorc, intend to take Burma in a new direction with some important, if undefined, role for the steely lady. That hopeful scenario is far from a done deal, however. The government made no public statement about the ending of Suu Kyi s house arrest. Nor is it clear that she is truly free to say or do what she wishes. Inside the compound at 52 University Road last week, Slorc intelligence officers in plain clothes mingled with the visiting oppositionists, diplomats and journalists who had gathered there after word got around that she had been freed. Many of her supporters suspect that the generals are merely trying to woo foreign governments, investors and such institutions as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund by makinga single concession-the release of the Lady, as she is known to friend and foe alike-with no intention of further loosening their hold on Burma. That grip is indeed tight: the government jails and totures political prisoners, forces peasants to labor without pay on roads and railways and is supervising the writing of a new constitution that will enshrine the military s role in running the country. Our stuggle is not finished, insists Tin Maung Win, vice chairman of the Democratic Alliance of Burma, an opposition party. There are 45 million people still in prison. The prison is the whole country. Suu Kyi admits that her release raises many more questions than is answers. Was it just a publicity stunt? she asked in her TIME interview, or was it designed to get more investment from abroad? Was it merely a way to lighten international pressure, or was it really for the good of the nation for all of us to work together? I certainly hope it is the latter, but only time will tell. At the same time, she has been painstakingly cautious in her statements, lavishing emphasis on the need for reconciliation between the government and the opposition while making no specific demands. She confessed to a natural affinity for the military because her father, Burmese nationalist hero Aung San, was extraordinary considering the circumstances-and military officials admitted they were relieved and satisfied with her comments last week. The big question is whether relief will turn to dismay when the iron-willed Suu Kyi starts speaking more freely. Will the men of Slorc then decide they made a mistake in restoring her freedom? They have been known to misjudge the situation very badly, says Zunetta Liddella, a research associate for Human Rights Watch/Asia in London, and I think they may have done so now too. The Burma that Suu Kyi will encounter when she finally ventures from her house is visibly different from the one she saw six years ago. Indeed those changes help explain why the junta finally decided to release her. In 1989 the country had not yet started to emerge from the 26-year economic cocoon spun by isolationist President U Ne Win. Slorc had come to power only organs and killing more than 3,000 student protesters over a six-year period. The junta changed the country s name to Myanmar and that of its capital to Yangon. Led by an impulsive general named Saw Maung, Slorc was profoundly unpopular: in the general election held in May 1990, Suu Kyi s National League for Democracy (NLD) routed the pro-government party. Slorc responded by unllifying the election results. Today Slorc is led by Senior General Than Shwe, a kinder and gentler alternative to his precedessor (who was retired in 1992 for health reason). Suu Kyi herself is reputed to like him. Far from being economically isolated, Burma has begun courting foreign investment and hopes to become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The country will press its application at a major Asean conference that opens July 31 in Brunei. Nonetheless, some countries-notably the U.S.-continue to shun Burma. Thre weeks ago, the house not Representatives added am amendmen eith passed last week, cutting antinarcotics money for Burma, largely to keep the generals from getting their gloves on the cash. Senator Mitch Mc Connell of Kentucky, meanwhile, is drafting legislation calling for sanctions against the Slorc regime. But other countries have chosen engagement instead of isolation: investors from Thailand have poured $418 million into Burma since 1988; Singaporean companies have invested in hotels, breweries and Myanmar Airways International, the country s new international airline. Burma s rulers have now realized that Thai traders and Singaporean financiers can t be counted on to build highways, irrigation systems, schools and hospitals. That is the role of such institutions as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, which stopped lending to the country under U.S. pressure. Burma also needs help from the IMF in strightening out its finances and reforming the redically over-valued kyat. None of this is possible without a thaw in relations with the U.S. And the key to conflict between the two countries was the detention of Suu Kyi. Military sources say General Than Shwe considered releasing Suu Kyi as early as 1993. Why he waited, and whether that plan faced serious resistance within the junta, is unclear. But there are several reasons why her release was more acceptable now. First, the constitutional convention that began in 1993 has made headway toward completing the document that is supposed to be the basis for future governments-and it includes a provision that disqualifies from the presidency anyone wed to a foreigner. That would eliminate Suu Kyi, who is married to British academic Michael Aris. Second, the generals have organized a pro-government mass movement called Union Solidarity and Development Association, which Slorc could challenge Suu Kyi s N.L.D. Third, the government has concluded peace negotiations with 11 of the country s 12 major ethnic and tribal groups (all except the Karens), and there haven t been any student protests of importance since 1990. If you were in General Than Shwe s shoes, you would consider all thse factors before releasing anyone, says one of his subordinate officers, because the No. 1 thing is for the country to be stable. According to Mike Jendrzejczyk, Washington director of Human Rights Watch/Asia, To some extent the Burmese government may be taking this step because they think they have the lid on so tight. By July 1, Slorc had made a formal decision to release Suu Kyi, a move championed by Than Shwe. He was the sole person to decide, says an officer. Once his decision was made, the rest of the bureaucracy was bound to follow. July 10 was chosen because that was the day her six-year sentence expired, and the junta was eager to appear to be following Burmese laws, not succumbing to pressure from outside. Following the decission in early July, Lieut. General Khin Nyunt, who is widely perceived to be the junta s strongman, gave a speech that was so hard-line it was initially interpreted as a public warning that Suu Kyi would not be released. Last week analysts reread the speech and found a statement of Slorc principles, probably articulated for the benefit of Suu Kyi herself. These included the need for stability, the sanctity of the soon to be promulgated constitution and the vital place of the military in modern Burma. They want to preserve their position as the guardian of the country, says Peter Brown, a Hong Kong solictor with Wilkinson & Grist who has drafted numerous joint-venture contracts with the junta since 1990. They ve often told me they see Burma as being similar to the Roman Empire-without the army, it will fall apart. It s hard to say which of the two approches to Burma was more effective in securing Suu Kyi s release: Washington s tough line that denied Slorc the foreign aid it so desperately needs, or the more conciliatory posture of such countries as Singapore and Thailand, aimed at opening Burma to the outside world and, concurrently, weaning it away from its repressive ways. Both sides were taking credit last week. Singapore s Ministry of Foreign affairs said its policy will help encourage Slorc to continue to open its economy and society and progress like other countries of Southeast Asia. Thailand s Foreign Minister said, I think that without the constructive engagement, the situation would not have moved so fast. In Washington, Senator McConnell was still sitting on his anti-Slorc proposal, waiting to see if the generals have truly changed their ways. The Senator doesn t claim credit for last week s happy turn of events, but said it was interesting it took place at the same time he was about to introduce his punitive bill. But others in Washington seemed ready to embrace the regime. We should recognize that even guys as bad as Slorc can change, said representative Dana Rohrabacher of California, who co-authored a bill to cut off antidrug funding for Burma. While Suu Kyi is one of the greatest saints of freedom in our time, it took just as much courage for Slorc to let her go. Foreign investors in Burma, a relatively small and brave band, see the move as a boost for the counrty s economic liberalization program, which faced limited prospects as long as the generals kept Suu Kyi locked up. They decided to bite the bullet and take the step forward, says Randollph \\kwei, an Americal private-fund managerwho is building a $4 million hotel in Rangoon. The inflaton rate is roaring, the country is short of cash , and nobody is lending them a dime . This is a huge step. The value of my hotel just went up. The GDP will grow an estimated 6.4% this year, but the country remains pitifully far behind its neighbours and in need of virtually everything: roads, phones, schools. Percapita GDP is $235, half of India s and below that of Bangladesh and Nigeria. Only 10% of the homes have electricity, heroin is the country s largest export, and Rangoon University, once the best in Asia, is now ptobably the worst. This is what the military has wrought, says Burton Levin, the last U.S. ambassador to Rangoon. Burma is a living museum-of ideas, of buildings, of almost everything. Investment banker Barton Biggs of Morgan Stanley, a frequent Asian visitor, had a similar impression when he flew on Myanmar Airways earlier this year. I sat on the ancient propeller plane on the flight to Pagan, he wrote to his clients. I was shocked to see the pilot. I am old, but this pilot must have been 75 or 80. The country, he said, had not trained any flight crews for the past 40 years. As a result, when recently the domestic airline was started, the authorities had to find World War II-era local pilots. Burma s promise is significant: it has a literacy rate of about 80% and still uses English accounting and legal systems. Its forests are vast, and it has large gold, silver and copper deposits, oil fields, rubies and, of course, some of the least expensive labor in the world. Corruption exists but is relatively controlled. Says one investor: To get a hotel site in the provinces, you only have to make a onetime payment of $300,000 to the local commander. In a place like Vietnam, they nickel and dime you to death. Both investors and the government hope Western donors will return and the banks will soon follow now that the standoff between Suu Kyi and Slorc has been broken. Both sides want to advance the country, says Jeremy King, managing director of Kerry Financial Services Ltd. in Hong Kong. Japan has been eager to return to Burma for a long time but has refrained, in deference to the U.S. Perhaps anticipating a breakthrough, Japan and Germany announced last March that thry would forgive up to $3 billion in Burmese debt, shortly after Slorc released 31 political prisoners. The Asian Development Bank, heavily dependent on Japanese funding, is awaiting further economic reforms before it begins lending. But Noritida Morita, director of the ADB s program department, says the bank began updating its information on Burma six months ago. Suu Kyi s release, he says, will prove to have a very positive impact on potential donors. Ultimately, what everyone is hoping for is some kind of political reconciliation between Suu Kyi s opposition party and the generals that leads to a gradual return to civilian rule. Many see the military taking a back-room power- and money- sharing role as its counterparts do in Thailand and Indonesia. But everything depends on the Lady. Now she is free to walk from the house that has been her prison for six long years. But is she free to travel? To speak? To take up the mission she articulately described in her 1991 book Freedom from Fear- or, indeed, the mandate given to her by the Burmese people in 1990? These questions were subtly evaded last week amid the headlines and celec\brations. That s almost certainly not the kind of freedom handed to her by a 21-general junta last week. Just as certain, it s undoubtedly the freedom she will sooner or later demand. Will she go face to face with them, as Corazon Aquino did in a very different kind of struggle in the Philippines, or try another tack? The only thing that s sure is that Aung San Suu Kyi cannot conceive of fredom simply-and the fate of her country may depend on her subtlety. Reported by Sandra Burton/ Rangoon, John Colmey/Hong Kong and Tamala M. Edwards/Washington ===== item ===== CHAVALIT: DON'T LET KILLING OF SEAMEN HURT TIES WITH RANGOON Bkk Post/18.8.95 THAILAND should not jump to the conclusion that the killing of Burmese seamen was premeditated by a mastermind as this could deepen the rift in Thai-Burmese relations, warned Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday. The New Aspiration Party leader made the Ranong provincial governor's suspicion that last week's murder of a number of Burmese crewmen may have been more complex than it appeared, believing it was planned beforehand. Gen Chavalit said the investigation into the murder would soon uncover the facts behind the case which has hurt relations between Thailand and Burma. It is feared that the murder problem may also cost Thailand dearly in Terms of mutual fishing interests with Burma. It has been alleged that a group of at least 11 Thai fishermen killed four Burmese crewmen on board the formers' vessel owned by the Narong Canning Co. According to an earlier report by the Burmese fishing agreement had sparked a disagreement between the Thai fishermen and Burmese workers which led to the brutal murder, said to have taken place off Burma's Kawthaung, also known as Victoria Point. So far, traffic between border passes n Ranong and Victoria Point has been suspended. Senior Interior Ministry officials and local authorities have been assigned to work virtually around the clock to probe the murder incident and find the suspects to show Burma that Thailand has no intention of turning a blind eye to the case. Gen Chavalit, during his official visit to Burma next month, will pass on a message from Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa regarding the controversial murder case to the leader of the Burmese government. Mr Banharn's message to Burma is seen as an immediate measure to prevent any further possible damage to relations between the two countries. Gen Chavalit said the authorities of both countries have set up their own working groups to carry out investigations into the murder. He repeated that Burma and Thailand still enjoyed a close relationship, adding both countries have always been sincere in their attempts to solve problems together. As the border passes in Ranong remain closed it is impossible to travel into Burma at this time. He made light of a report that Burmese fishermen may seek revenge by attacking Thai citizens travelling nito Burma, saying the people of both countries have always maintained a mutual understanding and a warm relationship. Burmais waiting to see how Thailand settles the murder problem, said Gen Chavalit, adding "the wrongdoers must be arrested and face drastic legal action." The suspects, if convicted of the murder, could face death sentences. The deputy prime minister proposed that the fishing agreement between both countries be adjusted to force Thai companies fishing in Burmese waters to transport their the share of marine animals the agreement requires Thai companies to distribute part of Their catches to their Burmese partners. It is often the case that Thai fishing companies unload a large proportion of their fish catches onto small boats which then race back to a Thai port without being inspected by the Burmese authorities first. This is unfair for the Burmese companies as only a small proportion of the catches are left for them. Gen Chavalit also encouraged businessmen to look for further investment opportunities in Burma. Burma wants to attract more foreign investment in fish meal and ice production. "Burma is reaching out for our help to develop the country and we should show them our sincerity,"said the deputy prime minister. He was confident that the Burmese government would not use the murder case as a pretext to bargain for advantages over Thailand during his official visit there next month. The meeting's agenda is based on the relationship at the national level and everyday happenings are not likely to affect the discussions. Army Commander in Chief Gen Wimol Wongwanich condemned the Thai fishermen who allegedly breached the fishing agreement, saying this indicated that some Thai businessmen only concentrated on gaining short term benefits. Greater efforts must be made to check on those working in the fishing industry. The Thai authorities must ensure justice for the Burmese fishermen caught up in the murder incident. Assistant Army commander in Chief Chetha Thanajaro said the problem would not worsen. A senior Burmese army official told him during a telephone conversation that Burma was well aware of Thailand's efforts to solve the murder case. Former Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan sympathised with the Government on the matter, saying the muder problem was a complicated one. He expressed disappointment that the Foreign Ministry was often the last agency to step in to oversee border problems. "So, it is necessary to give moral support and be sympathetic towards both the Government and Foreign Ministry which must keep finding solutions to all the various problems. Let us hope the (murder) problem does not become any worse than it already is," said the Democrat Party executive. He said he did not believe the border wrangle would develop into a major diplomatic rift requiring mediation by a third country. Bilateral negotiations would be sufficient to between the two countries. The personal relationship between Gen Chavalit and SLORC leaders may help reduce the tension along the border to a certain degree, Mr Surin said, cautioning, however, that personal contact would not be effective in permanently ending the international row. Everything must adhere to the process of formal diplomatic protocol, he said. ===== item ===== JUNTA AND KARENS 'LIKELY TO AGREE ON CEASEFIRE TERMS' Bkk Post/18.8.95 Tak A CEASEFIRE agreement is likely between Burma's ruling military junta and Karen National Union rebels, a Thai border source said yesterday. Suvicha Hiranyapruek, a secretary to Thailand's National Security Council chief Charan Kullavanijava, helped mediate for talks between three representatives of the junta, or State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) as it is officially known, and Gen Bo Mya, president of the KNU, the source said. The three SLORC representatives were Tun Mya, Tun Aung Kyi and Aye Soe Mya. The meeting took place at Ban Mae Klong in Tak's Umphang District on Tuesday. Also at the meeting were senior KNU officers including the movement's "forestry minister" Pa Do Aung, joint general secretary Maj Gen Maung Maung, chief of staff Maj Gen Ka Ze Doe, Division 4 commander Brig Gen Oliver, the source said. Both sides reportedly agreed during their two-hour talks there must be a "sincere' ceasefire. They also agreed to join hands in efforts to improve the welfare of their people who have long suffered from war, and to develop their country. The two sides will hold an other round of talks in Pa-an, capital of Burma's Kawthoolei state before singing a ceasefire agreement. The agreement is expected to be signed by the SLORC's first general secretary Lt Gen Khin Nyunt and the KNU president. ===== item ===== BESIEGED KHUN SA RESHUFFLES POSTS TO PATCH UP INTERNAL RIFTS Reuter The Nation/18.8.95 BURMA"S embattled opium warlord Khun Sa has reshuffled his leadership in an attempt to patch up an internal rift as he prepares to face a coordinated assault from his main opium growing rivals and Burmese government forces, guerrilla sources said yesterday. Sources in Khun Sa"s Mong Tai Army (MTA) and its political wing said the opium warlord had introduced a "collective leadership" in his rebel group. "The organization has been changed from one-man absolute power to collective leadership with the formation of an - administrative council," said Khwan Mong, a veteran Shan nationalist appointed secretary-general of the new council at a weekend meeting. Others appointed to top posts in the newly-formed I l-member Shan State Administrative Council (SSAC) were Kan Chit, also a veteran Shan nationalist who was made chairman and Zam Mai, another respected veteran appointed first vice chairman. Khun Sa"s long-time right-hand man, Chang Shu-chuan, a former Chinese nationalist soldier who is also known by the Shan name Sao Hpalang, was made a second vice chairman of the new council, behind the Shan nationalists, in an apparent move to defuse growing Shan resentment of Chinese influence in the MTA. But one Shan political source dismissed the changes as cosmetic, designed to placate frustrated young Shan nationalists. "Khun Sa will never give up power. Appointing that committee means nothing at all, he only did it to save his skin, to please some young Shan," the former guerrilla commander now exiled in Thailand told Reuters. The changes follow the breakaway of several thousand MTA guerrillas who mutinied against-Khun Sa in frustration with what they saw as his preoccupation with the drugs trade and neglect of the: Shan nationalist movement, guerrilla sources said. But Khwan Mong denied the new leadership structure had anything to do with last month"s mutiny. "The change has happened because we think it is the time to change. It"s nothing to do with the breakaway group," Khwan Mong said. An Mong Tai source said Shan guerrillas were continuing to defect from Khun Sa's army and the total number had increased to more than 3,000. "These young people who have strong will to fight for the independence of Shan state have realized that Khun Sa does not do as he promise," a senior MTA source said. Khun Sa says his MTA has a total strength of 25,000. Shan source put his number of well-armed fighters at more than 10,000. His internal difficulties came as Burmese forces and Khun Sa's main opium trade rivals from the Wa ethnic minority guerrilla army were preparing to launch an offensive against Khun Sa's main base areas in southern Shan state. After years of neglecting the opium warlord, Burmese government troops attacked Khun Sa's strongholds in late 1993 and intermittent fighting, at times heavy, has continued. Wa fighters, also seeking their own state within a federal Burma, have a clashed regularly with Khun Sa's forces in recent years over opium smuggling routes. ===== item ===== CHAVALIT HAS HIS WORK CUT ON MISSION TO BURMA The Nation/18.8.95 Despite its efforts at "constructive engagement", Thailand has recently found its relationship with Burma deteriorating. Yindee Lertcharoenchok highlights the factors leading to the sudden surge in Rangoon's hostility against Bangkok. Defence Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is betting on his close personal connections with the Burmese junta when he leaves early next month for Rangoon on a highly-significant mission. At take is a stormy Thai-Burmese relationship, now at one its lowest points after a series of border conflicts and most recently the murder of at least two Burmese fishermen. The former Army Commander-in-chief is bearing a heavy but ambitious responsibility, hoping that the reunion and his usual style of tete-a-tete talks with the Burmese leaders, some of whom he calls "brothers", will bear fruit so he can triumphantly bring home good news. Both the government of Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa and the Thai armed forces have put their confidence in Cnavalit, who offered immediately after his ministerial appointment last month to travel to Burma to try to reverse the current tide of Burmese anger and hostility against Thailand. Efforts by the previous Chuan administration and leading military officers failed to appease the ruling Burmese State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), which has steadily imposed a number of punitive measures an restrictions that hurt Thai economic interests in Burma. Speaking in separate interviews, military officers and senior bureaucrats are still uncertain as to the actual causes behind the sudden surge of Burmese resentment, but they suspect there are several factors involved. Slorc's suspiciousness about Thailand's Burma policy is believed to be a leading cause. The Kingdom has tried, without much success, to security-oriented and "double-edged" Thai foreign diplomacy based on strong anti-communism sentiment in the 1950s has really been replaced with a policy that respects mutual sovereignty and guarantees peaceful coexistence and collective prosperity. Unconvinced, Slorc has often tested Thai sincerity and credibility with its repeated calls for Thailand to halt its alleged covert assistance to anti-Rangoon ethnic guerrilla groups and pro-democracy Burmese dissident movements. Bangkok has denied the charges, saying the country is pursuing a non-interference policy and explaining that the aid and refuge given to tens of thousands of Burmese ethnic and political fugitives was provided according to international humanitarian principles. Thailand has deliberately omitted mention of Slorc's protests, often delivered with back-up evidence, over Thailand's provision of residences on Thai soil to a number of guerrilla leaders. Slorc leaders were upset with Thailand's continuing support for the Karen National Union (KNU), which has been waging an war for autonomy against Rangoon for close to 50 years. And they were furious with the refusal by Thai officers in Mae Sai to hand over a death squad team of opium warlord Khun Sa's MOng Tai Army (MTA) which made a lighting raid on the booming Burmese border town of Tachilek on March 20. A week after the MTA attack, the Slorc ordered the indefinite closure of border passage between Tachilek an Mae Sai and subsequently imposed a travel ban. Thai efforts to alleviate the tremendous local economic loss by opening five temporary crossings to facilitate the export of Thai goods were countered by an anti-Thai goods campaign and the shutdown early this month of passages on the Burmese side. A similar anti-Thailand campaign was launched in Myawaddy, another important border checkpoint, opposite Tak's Mae Sot district. At the height of the Burmese military offensive against the KNU stronghold of Kawmoora in February, the Slorc accused Thailand of obstructing its operation and threatened to retaliate by closing the border and suspending construction on the Thai- Burmese bridge across the Moei River. After official Thai protests over repeated Burmese territorial violations and the abduction on Feb 9 of senior KNU civilian leaders from a Thai refugee camp, the Slorc on March 5 abruptly ordered the immediate closure of the Myawaddy-Mae Sot crossing and banned the import of Thai goods. Mae Sot traders believed the move was in retaliation for alleged Thai support for the Karen guerrillas. Between April and early May, tension along the border worsened as the Burmese forces and a breakaway KNU faction continued to defy Thai warnings and repeatedly intruded into Thailand. After the Thai Army launched lightning attacks in May on dissident Karen guerrilla bases in Burma, the Slorc on June 7 ordered the suspension of construction on the nearly completed Bt80 million Moei bridge. The anti-Thai goods campaign subsequently intensified, enforced through a strict travel ban and the prohibition of the sale and use of Thai products. Troops carried out random house searches and checked convoys suspected of transporting Thai goods,.seizing any products found and punishing violators. Initially, Thai officials were hopeful that the tough Burmese measures were restricted only to the northern region. It seemed to be business as usual at the last remaining crossing _ between coastal Ranong province and Burma's Victoria Point, or Kawthaung,_which serves the multi-billion-baht fishing and tourism industries and bilateral trade. But Slorc recently proved again it never hesitates to translate its resentment into concrete action. Alleged brutality against a group of Burmese seamen and the subsequent murder on Aug 6 of at least two of them, whose hands and feet had been bound with rope aboard a Thai fishing boat, prompted the Slorc to close the Victoria Point-Ranong crossing. Closure of the three official checkpoints virtually sealed off the 2,300-km Thai Burmese frontier. While the Burmese border economy has also been adversely affected by the closures, Thailand knows that it stands to suffer most from the stand-off. Senior Thai officials believe what makes the border problems harder to solve is the Thai private sector's "arrogant" attitude _ the belief that it is Burma that needs Thailand politically and economically, not the other way round. Rangoon's latest message is being taken seriously here. Although the murder case _ unlike the disputes and conflicts in northern Thailand which involved government and military personnel from both sides_was apparently a local affair, the Thai administration has realized the economic repercussions of Burma's hardline stand and is moving quickly to try to patch the widening rifts. Despite the fact that several government ministers and military leaders have expressed sincere regret over the mishap and pledged to bring the culprits to justice, Premier Banharn knew that he needed to intervene personally to show the government's political will and seriousness to resolve the problem. Chavalit, also deputy premier, will carry Banharn's personal message of condolence and regret to Slorc when he makes a two-day visit to Rangoon on Sept 1-2. While Chavalit has played down his Burma trip, saying that it is an "ordinary" and ''semi-official'' visit, the government and armed forces remain hopeful that the former Army chief will be able to use his personal contacts with- SLORC leaders as leverage to placate Burma's anger and to repair the damaged relations. Thai critics and senior officials remain skeptical as to what Rangoon will demand in return for reopening the border and the resumption of construction on the Thai-Burmese bridge. Chavalit has already despatched his close aide and confidante, Gen Pat Akranibutr, to Rangoon to prepare for his trip. Although his task will not be easy, official sources believe that Chavalit, who is known for his clever give-and-take negotiating skills, will bring with him some "irresistible offers" to the Slorc and will return home with victorious fanfare. It is premature to predict what Chavalit's "goodwill gifts" might be, but speculation has revolved around the sort of things that Rangoon is known to want, such as sincere cooperation in cracking down on ethnic insurgency. ===== item ===== CHAVALIT'S BURMA TRIP SEEN AS FIRST STEP The Nation/18.8.95 FOREIGN Minister M R Kasem Kasemsri yesterday proposed a four-step approach for the government to mend Thailand's soured relations with Burma. Defence Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's scheduled Sept 1-2 visit to Burma is part of the first step: intensifying high-level contacts between the two countries. Kasem outlined the plan during a meeting of Thai ambassadors and counsellors posted overseas. However, Kasem said he has no immediate plans to visit Burma because he is waiting for the result of Chavalit's trip. He warned against expectations that the defence minister's visit alone would resolve all problems between the two countries and improve the strained bilateral ties. "Let us jump the hurdle of a major approach [towards Burma] first and then small matters can be easily managed," he said. Slorc's termination of fishing contracts with Narong was well understood, he said. "Once the principle of the [fishing] agreement was breached, the Burmese government had the right to terminate the contract." Moreover, the two countries should promptly find effective means to resolve or quell any rising problems, Kasem said. Lastly, any cooperations between the two countries should be based on mutual respect and benefit sharing, he added. The foreign minister said the current fishing problem is a small matter considering each country's larger share of interest. "Both Thailand and Burma envisioned a long-term interest in cooperating with each other under the 10-nation Southeast Asian Community," said Kasem. Kasem told the Thai diplomats that Thailand's "constructive engagement" policy with Burma is aimed at addressing the interests of all people in both countries, not those of any panicular groups. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-archa said yesterday that last week's trawler attack was committed by a small self-interest group but its consequences have adversely affected the majority. He said Burma's intense naval patrol was a precautionary measure to prevent illegal fishing by Thai vessels. Thailand will have to discourage Thai fishermen from territorial transgression and illegal activities in Burma. ===== item ===== THAI SKIPPER, KHMER CREWMAN CONFESS TO KILLING BURMESE The Nation/18.8.95 RANONG _ A Thai and a Khmer have confessed to beating to death five Burmese fishermen out of anger because they informed Burmese authorities that their Thai vessel possessed illegal fishing equipment, according to a senior provincial police officer. Col Chuwong Wattanodorn, deputy Ranong police chief, yesterday named the two men as Khamsai Kaenkaew, skipper of the vessel JV44, and Porn, or Mars Sunsuankim, a Khmer crew member. The two confessed during interrogation that they were involved in the murder of five Burmese fishermen on board the JV47 on Aug 6. The fishing boat was one of two boats belonging to the Narong Canning Co. The two suspects confessed that they along with 10 other Thai crew members jointly attacked their 15 Burmese colleagues, but 10 managed to jump over board and escape. The remaining five were beaten to death with steel water pipes and thrown into the sea. Thailand must also prove its sincerity in following its policy on Burma, he said. In this case the government must make further efforts to convince Narong Canning Co and other fishing firms to strictly adhere to agreements they reached with Burma. Burmese fisherman working aboard a Narong Co trawler were attacked and several were killed by Thais during an incident last week. Chuwong quoted both Khamsai and Porn as saying the assailants were driven to attack the victims because one of the Burmese men had alerted Burmese authorities in Mergui to the fact the ship contained illegal equipment. The equipment included such items as high-frequency communications radios and fine-mesh net, which is used to catch prawns. The Burmese authorities subsequently revoked the JW4 s lishing licence and the crew and their vessel were ordered to leave Burmese territorial waters. The colonel said Ranong police station had issued arrest warrants for another 10 Thai suspects, including the skipper of the JV47, Sunthorn Kaewsongduang, who led the attack on the Burmese. The two suspects, who returned to Ranong after interrogation by Burmese authorities at Burma's Victoria Point, or Kawthaung, are now being held at Pak Nam Provincial Police Station. Police have forbidden any contact with them by the media. Fishing industrialists in Ranong said the attackers held strong suspicions that the Burmese victims were in fact "informers for Burmese authorities". They said the men were seen providing tip-offs, leading to previous seizures of Thai vessels for fishing illegally in Burma. The entrepreneurs also complained the abrupt closure of the checkpoint between Ranong and Victoria Point by Burmese officials after the violent attack had adversely affected the province's trading boat transport, fishing and tourist industnes. He also denied that Burmese authorities in Victoria Point would use two Thai boat operators Buri Jermsang, 23, and Paisarn Thaweeboonnmgrueng, 24, as bargaining chips in the murder case. The two men were arrested on July 31 for illegal entry into Burma and have been detained ever since. "It is not true they were arrested. The [Burmese] military chief there is looking after them," said Wimol. A group of Ranong boat operators yesterday petitioned provincial Governor Sathit Saengsi to secure the release of Buri and Paisarn because they feared Burmese authorities would attack them in retaliation for the murder of the Burmese fishermen. Buri's father, Daeng Chuansong, said the arrest of his son came in retaliation for an earlier arrest of two Burmese by Thai police on charges of smuggling cigarettes. The two Burmese were violently attacked before a large crowd of about 100 Burmese labourers and fishermen. Sathit has pledged to follow the case closely and immediately contact Burmese officials to help secure their release. Paisarn's father, Somsak Thaweeboonrungrueng, said Burmese officials have demanded that Thailand hand over the two suspected Burmese smugglers in exchange for the two Thai illegal immigrants. Members of the border trade chamber in Ranong have agreed to donate Bt2 million each to Burmese authorities as compensation for the deaths of the Burmese. They want the case quickly resolved because the local economy had been badly damaged since the Burmese shut down the checkpoint. *********************************************************************** <>