Khin Nyunt visit opens a new era
Khin Nyunt visit opens a new era
By Marisa Chimprabha
BANGKOK: Drug suppression, fishery development and mutual
border patrols will be discussed during the visit of Burma's No.
3 leader.
Many observers regarded the visit by Burma's Intelligence
Chief Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt to Bangkok on Monday as reflecting a
new page in their bilateral relationship, one that will see both
countries adopting a more relaxed approach and greater
willingness to compromise when dealing with current and future
joint problems.
Both countries' expectations for the visit are quite high as a
positive outcome will be both clear evidence and a demonstration
of their improving ties.
The visit of Khin Nyunt, scheduled for Sept. 3 to 6, is a
reciprocal one after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra led an
official entourage to Rangoon in May.
His visit was a break from his predecessor, Chuan Leekpai, who
refused to go to Burma after a series of violent events caused by
Burmese dissidents on Thai soil.
Thailand's tough stance then could be seen through the U.S.-
backed flexible engagement policy of Foreign Minister Surin
Pitsuwan. That policy -- criticized for being against the
principle of non-intervention of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations -- allowed a country to criticize another country
if that country's internal affairs affected others.
During the Chuan period, the exchange of visits of the leaders
was suspended due to out-of-tune relations. The suspension was
excepted for Burma's Foreign Minister Win Aung, who came to
Thailand quite often for bilateral and regional meetings.
Therefore, Burma regards Thaksin's attitude as displaying
greater compromise and being more relaxed than his predecessor's.
Although Thaksin blamed Burma and Burma's United Wa State Army
(UWSA) for being a major source of drugs, particularly
amphetamines, during a national workshop in Chiang Rai province,
his later decision to go to Burma effectively diverted that
country's displeasure over his blunt remarks.
A high-ranking security source said recently that Thaksin's
visit to Burma had effectively helped relax the long-tense ties
with Burma.
It seems, he said, that Thailand under the Thaksin government
will adopt a more relaxed stance towards Burma as compared to the
Chuan period.
"Thailand's attitude of compromise towards Burma seems to be
working this time. With the better ties, we hope that both
countries can move on now to enhance bilateral cooperation," he
said.
Burma took a reciprocal step towards Thailand's softened
stance by assigning Khin Nyunt, who is also the State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC) secretary-general, to visit Bangkok.
This visit of Khin Nyunt is the first time he is representing
his country in Thailand in 11 years. He joined the entourage of
SPDC chairman, Gen. Than Shwe, on a tour of a royal project in
Chiang Rai province in 1999.
His visit is expected to hammer out most of the unsettled
conflicts between the two countries.
Chatchai Suthiklom, deputy secretary-general of the Office of
Narcotic Control Board, said that narcotics cooperation would top
the agenda on Khin Nyunt's visit. He added that Thai-Burma
cooperation on this issue could greatly enhance attempts to
eliminate drug trafficking in the region.
"We need cooperation from all sides to effectively suppress
drug trafficking," Chatchai said.
Khin Nyunt is expected to bring Burma's decision on a Thai
proposal to have a tripartite meeting of Thailand, Burma and
UWSA, which is producing amphetamines on a large scale in this
region.
Also to be discussed are the pending fishery problems that
took place after Burma canceled its contracts with Thai fishing
firms. Burma has been outraged for long time with the Thai side's
violation of the fishing contracts.
The last incident that led to the decision to cancel contracts
was the brutal killing of Burmese crewmen on a Thai vessel.
During Khin Nyunt's visit, both sides will decide on a new
model of fishery cooperation that will ensure Burma of the
sincerity of Thailand's private sector in respecting fishing
contracts.
Another talking point on the agenda will be a Thai proposal to
have a joint patrol along the common border in an attempt to
minimize the cross-border crimes by people of both countries. The
joint patrol is also aimed at preventing armed Karen from
traveling back and forth between Thailand and Burma.
Another senior security source said that Thailand was well
aware that security and protection for Khin Nyunt would have to
be tight and well-prepared.
This was because of the active movement of Burmese dissidents
who could try to instigate some violence during his visit.
However, he said he did not expect any incidents during the
visit as Burmese dissidents know very well that any disorder
would have a negative impact on their stay on Thai soil.
-- The Nation/Asia News Network