M'sian, Thai leaders to hold talks on Burma crisis

7:46pm Wed Jul 23rd, 2003

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his Thai counterpart Thaksin Shinawatra will discuss the political crisis in Burma during talks this weekend on the resort island of Langkawi, officials said today.
During the the two-day talks in Langkawi, which lies near the Thai-Malaysian border, Thaksin (photo) will also meet with United Nations envoy to Burma Razali Ismail, said Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai.
Razali, a former Malaysian diplomat, is the only outsider to have seen Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi since she was taken into detention in the wake of May 30 political violence.
"Razali will brief Thaksin on the problem and his meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi and Razali wants to listen to Thaksin's ideas on how to convince Burma's government to free her," Surakiart told reporters.
Thailand has reportedly presented to Burma a "roadmap" towards national reconciliation, which Surakiart plans to discuss with his Burmese counterpart Win Aung when he visits Thailand later this month for economic talks.

Angry response

The international community has responded angrily to the democracy activist's detention, with the United States and European Union beefing up sanctions and Asean issuing an unprecedented call last month for her release.
Mahathir warned on Sunday that Burma may as a last resort face expulsion from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) grouping if it continues defying world pressure to free the 1991 Nobel peace laureate.
The Thai government said in a statement today that Mahathir had invited Thaksin to the weekend meeting in Langkawi.
The two leaders are expected to discuss other bilateral issues, including overland transport links for passengers and perishable goods, and plans to open new border checkpoints and extend the operating time of checkpoints.
They will witness the signing of two memorandums of understanding on customs and the stock exchange. - AFP

Source : Malaysiakini