Myanmar Junta Accuses Thailand Of 'meddling'

[george]

Myanmar junta accuses Thailand of 'meddling'

BANGKOK: -- The trial of Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi resumed on Monday as Myanmar accused neighbouring Thailand of meddling in its internal affairs.

Thailand as the rotating chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last week issued a statement expressing "grave concern'' over the trial, saying "the honour and the credibility of the (Myanmar government) are at stake.''

The ruling junta rejected the statement and issued its statement on Monday through the New Light of Myanmar, state television nd radio accusing Thailand of interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

"This statement issued by the alternate ASEAN chairman -- which is not in conformity with ASEAN practice, incorrect in facts, interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar -- is strongly rejected by Myanmar," it said.

"It is sadly noted that the alternate ASEAN chairman failed to preserve the dignity of ASEAN, the dignity of Myanmar and the dignity of Thailand," said the statement.

Mrs. Suu Kyi, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 years, is being tried on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest after an American, John W. Yettaw, swam to her home on May 4 and stayed for two days.

The Nobel Peace laureate pleaded not guilty last Friday. If found guilty, the 63-year-old Suu Kyi faces up to five years in prison.

-- TNA 2009-05-25

[sleepyjohn]

"They don't like it up'em Captain Mannering"

comes to mind.

Nice to see Thailand showing some principle here.

It's a shame dear Israel's not next door. The American's would get stuck in before you could shake a stick.

Edited May 25, 2009 by sleepyjohn

[Soupdragon]

"the honour and the credibility of the (Myanmar government) are at stake.''

Since when did the Myanmar Government have honour or credibility ?????

[coconutmonkey]

Forgive my ignorance at such a topic involving international relations and tactical operations, though what really does stop the Americans (or whoever) from assembling a team and going in to take hostages out?

How much of a threat is Myanmar?

Rambo can do it...

Edit: spelling mistake

Edited May 25, 2009 by coconutmonkey

[Soupdragon]

Forgive my ignorance at such a topic involving international relations and tactical operations, though what really does stop the Americans (or whoever) from assembling a team and going in to take hostages out?

How much of a threat is Myanmar?

Rambo can do it...

Edit: spelling mistake

China supports the Junta. If that changed then many other things could too. Don't hold your breath.

[coconutmonkey]

Forgive my ignorance at such a topic involving international relations and tactical operations, though what really does stop the Americans (or whoever) from assembling a team and going in to take hostages out?

How much of a threat is Myanmar?

Rambo can do it...

Edit: spelling mistake

China supports the Junta. If that changed then many other things could too. Don't hold your breath.

Cheers So they must benefit somehow... eh? China likes this kind of suppression it seems....

Oh, let me guess, that was racist...

[Scott]

Both China and Thailand benefit from the suppression of the people of Myanmar. The cheap resources will stop flowing if they mouth off very much and so, Thailand will probably say nothing further. Certainly no action will be taken.

[Plus]

Thailand will buy their gas with or without junta.

It won't act or talk alone, however, without some big Asean partners on board the junta won't listen and Thailand will only end up hurting itself.

Thailand's position will not be ignored by the rest of the Asean, there's a good chance that others will not sit it out, too. If they can manage to get China's ear, the junta will have to start taking it seriously.

[tranquillize]

I really hope the ASEAN puts more pressure on Myanmar. Although i'm not sure how much it would help. China and Russia are the 2 countries that hold sway in Myanmar these days.

[BigSnake]

Somebody needs to meddle, twenty years of a Bull SH#T House arrest, by this Junta.

[Oberkommando]

Interesting that this Thai government has the audacity to lecture others on honour and credibility, especially another Junta, when its own citizens have to flee abroad to avoid persecution for speaking their beliefs.

Edited May 25, 2009 by Oberkommando

[hansnl]

"They don't like it up'em Captain Mannering"

comes to mind.

Nice to see Thailand showing some principle here.

It's a shame dear Israel's not next door. The American's would get stuck in before you could shake a stick.

I wonder, what has Israel to do with Burma versus Thailand?

And the US?

[phazey]

Think back a few years to when the then Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt was banged up. He and his family remain under house arrest without charge, and most of his subordinates are imprisoned with huge sentences that do not reflect the "crimes" they were convicted of (one BG got something like 200 years.... nice bloke too).

I brought this up because this removal was ordered by Than Shwe and Maung Aye. Khin Nyunt was a moderate - he worked for the release of Suu Kyi - even getting her out of house arrest. This was hated by the more senior two mentioned above - therefore, the unit was dismantled (Military Intelligence), and Suu Kyi was retained into "protective custody".

Now coming back to the present. Of course you'll get statements like this and trumped up charges - it shows "loyalty" and brings favour. The top two are not getting any younger and the lower lot are jostling for position in the hierarchy.

[khundon]

Myanmar junta accuses Thailand of 'meddling'

BANGKOK: -- The trial of Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi resumed on Monday as Myanmar accused neighbouring Thailand of meddling in its internal affairs.

Thailand as the rotating chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last week issued a statement expressing "grave concern'' over the trial, saying "the honour and the credibility of the (Myanmar government) are at stake.''

The ruling junta rejected the statement and issued its statement on Monday through the New Lies of Myanmar, state television nd radio accusing Thailand of interfering in the country's internal affairs.

"This statement issued by the alternate ASEAN chairman -- which is not in conformity with ASEAN practice, incorrect in facts, interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar -- is strongly rejected by Myanmar," it said.

"It is sadly noted that the alternate ASEAN chairman failed to preserve the dignity of ASEAN, the dignity of Myanmar and the dignity of Thailand," said the statement.

Mrs. Suu Kyi, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 years, is being tried on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest after an American, John W. Yettaw, swam to her home on May 4 and stayed for two days.

The Nobel Peace laureate pleaded not guilty last Friday. If found guilty, the 63-year-old Suu Kyi faces up to five years in prison.

-- TNA 2009-05-25

China is the key to this and if they cared they could get her out of prison but then they don't even care for their own people so no hope there.

Also if the large International oil companies pulled out and stopped dealing with these murderers, then the corrupt state would fall.

[phazey]

Also if the large International oil companies pulled out and stopped dealing with these murderers, then the corrupt state would fall.

No, it won't. They have invested far far too much to just walk away. Take for instance when Premier Oil pulled out - they simply sold off to Petronas and made a mint and the operation continued. Total would do the same with the Yadana platform, and it's pipeline.

Also keep in mind that the remaining Gas/Oil companies are Korean, Indian or Thai - They have no problems operating in Myanmar.

Edited May 26, 2009 by phazey

[Plus]

Public discontent within Asean might prompt China to step in and resolve the matter - it's part of their duties in the region now.

Indians have just kept the same party to power, I don't think there will be any changes in their Burma policy, but they are not the ones to go against world opinion, they'd rather keep quiet and sit it out.

[DaleBlue]

Don't worry about the junta in Burma. Kasit has a plan to fix them, just like how he handle the Khmers.

[Plus]

Better than bending over and taking up the ass from both of them, as some previous administrations did.

[samgrowth]

Send in the ex-USSR mafia arm dealer of Pattaya. Thailand needs a couple more nukes.

[EndofDays]

"They don't like it up'em Captain Mannering"

comes to mind.

Nice to see Thailand showing some principle here.

It's a shame dear Israel's not next door. The American's would get stuck in before you could shake a stick.

What???? The U.S. has been THE biggest advocates for change in Mynamar. What have you got against Israel anyways?

[baht&sold]

Interesting that this Thai government has the audacity to lecture others on honour and credibility, especially another Junta, when its own citizens have to flee abroad to avoid persecution for speaking their beliefs.

Few in the traditional back-handing 'thiefdom' of Thailand want to see the Dems succeed and in particular they do NOT want to see things change. On the other extreme, the PAD aren't happy with the Dems either.

Even if it's to be a brief Govt term, it's been a refreshing contrast to see a Thai Govt even in a meek attempt (in the 'face' of China) to admonish Burma, if nothing else.

This is in stark contrast to Mr Thaksin creating new rules to lend Thai taxpayer money so Burma's Generals could buy HIS then Shin satellites, or to Mr Samak who proclaimed Burma's Generals were "Good Buddhists"...

[Oberkommando]

Better than bending over and taking up the ass from both of them, as some previous administrations did.

Chuan's Democrat Government was very friendly with them I seem to remember.

This is in stark contrast to Mr Thaksin creating new rules to lend Thai taxpayer money so Burma's Generals could buy HIS then Shin satellites, or to Mr Samak who proclaimed Burma's Generals were "Good Buddhists"...

At least Thaksin didn't try to engage them, provoking widespread condemnation.

When Chuan was quizzed on human rights issues in Burma and why his Democrat government was more interested in profiteering he retorted, "I want to ask if the person who thinks that way is a Thai. If the Thai people think we should not do something for the country, then that's wrong. Everybody and not just the Government must have this concept that Thailand also needs to look after its own interest."

[Plus]

Chuan's Democrat Government was very friendly with them I seem to remember.

Yeah, sure, especially after the rebels took Burmese embassy hostage and Chuan eventually provided them with a free helicopter ride out. Burmese generals were sending him flowers for every birthday since.