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