Just generals having a jaw
Source : Bangkok Post (August 02, 2001)
We can all sleep comfortably tonight safe in the knowledge that all our worst fears have been laid to rest. The man who would be foreign minister has had a heart to heart with a brother in arms. At home, it appears the annual amusement of military musical chairs is almost a done thing, or so some would have us believe. Don't be fooled by the titles-something about a hollow drum makes the most noise.
Candid talks in Rangoon last month between our defence minister cum deputy prime minister and the Burmese prime minister are being heralded by the former's unofficial public relations team as restoring mutual trust and confidence between our two countries and opening a new chapter in our relations.
"Open discussions between Gen Chavalit [Yongchaiyudh] and Gen Than Shwe on drugs and other border issues undoubtedly have dispelled any lingering mistrust," said one wide-eyed member of the Defence Ministry staff.
Gen Than Shwe is said to have asked his fellow general for understanding of Burma's position on the drug issue. He said the problem had been around for more than a decade and had begun with some former ethnic rebels who had used the money earned from drug trafficking to fight for independence from Rangoon.
The prime minister is said to have said the problem could be dealt with effectively through regional co-operation and he was confident his country would be drug free by 2014.
The Defence man said the two generals both were worried that lingering suspicions over the possible involvement of Rangoon in the drug trade needed to be addressed as this only added to misunderstandings between our two countries and was hurting any co-operation efforts along the border.
Gen Than Shwe is said to have told Gen Chavalit it was vital that our two countries trusted each other and were confident that each was working for the sake of regional prosperity, otherwise there would be clouds over any future collaboration.
"We have to build mutual understanding among our people and the military," Gen Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, was quoted by the Defence man as saying.
The prime minister is said to have said Thailand should not suspect Burma of doing anything that might damage its neighbour and he was hopeful that Thailand, in return, would not do anything that might hurt Burma.
Gen Than Shwe is said to have encouraged Gen Chavalit to raise any suspicions that Thailand might have of Burma direct with Rangoon as this would minimise the danger of misunderstandings.
He also is said to have said that "suspicion and mistrust will not lead to a better relationship between our two countries".
Gen Chavalit is said to have said that members of the two countries' army engineering corps and medical units should join together to strengthen ties and understanding among people along the border.
Another Defence man said Gen Chavalit was surprised that Gen Than Shwe had proposed that Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, the State Peace and Development Council's first secretary, should head a delegation to Thailand soon to discuss co-operation on fishing concessions and the drawn-out question of border demarcation.
"He [Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt] rarely travels abroad," said one of Gen Chavalit's trusty lieutenants. "This clearly shows Burma has the strong determination to strengthen ties and understanding with our country."