Australian FM to visit Thailand

Australian FM to visit Thailand

BANGKOK (Reuter): Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans will visit Thailand briefly next week and the situation in Myanmar is expected to dominate talks with Thai government officials, an embassy spokesman said yesterday.

"While here, he will take the opportunity to meet the acting foreign minister and discuss matters of mutual interest," an Australian embassy spokesman said.

He declined further comment on what Evans might discuss during his Monday stopover, but a senior Thai foreign ministry official said Myanmar was sure to figure in the talks.

"Of course the issue of Burma (Myanmar) will be raised," he said. Myanmarese troops are on the offensive against anti- government guerrillas. Thailand on Wednesday issued a stern warning to Myanmar not to violate Thai territory in its efforts to wipe out the guerrillas.