Border talks with junta delayed once again

Published on Sep 7, 2002

Special talks aimed at defusing border tensions between Thailand and Burma have been rescheduled for September 30, deputy Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha said yesterday.

"Burma has now asked us to postpone the meeting to September 30," Yuthasak said.

However, Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said no date has been fixed for the talks. He said his Burmese counterpart Win Aung, whom he met in Johannesburg during the UN Earth Summit, had only indicated he wished to shift the meeting to the end of the month.

"Win Aung wanted to come here during the third week of September or from September 23 to 25, but I have to attend an Asem [Asia-Europe meeting] in Denmark then, and we also have to check the prime minister's schedule as Win Aung wants to see him too," Surakiart said.

Yuthasak said the talks will focus on re-opening the border checkpoints, which have been closed since the conflicts in May.

"The meeting will also include discussions on an official visit to Burma by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhornas. Rangoon has already said it is prepared to welcome the Princess, and they will allow her unlimited access to the country," Yuthasak said.

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