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SEMINAR ON THAI BENEFIT FROM THE VISIT OF BURMA'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER.

Feb. 1999

Remarks of U Thein Oo, NCGUB Minister for Justice

I would probably also start off by saying that I had sincerely tried to think of the benefit to the Thais, but really only came up with a blank slate. The benefits would only flow one way and that would be to the military junta.

I thought of many reasons why the Thais should not welcome the visit of the military junta's foreign affairs representative.

If the subject of this conference where how Burma could benefit from the visit of the regime's Minister of Foreign Affairs, I believe that the answer would be that U Win Aung would come and announce the immediate transfer of power to the elected parliament. I believe that such a transfer would also be extremely beneficial for Thailand, but as a politician, I must deal with the practical and the realistic.

If U Win Aung does not announce an immediate transition to democracy, what could he realistically do that would benefit Thailand? Let me suggest two benchmarks that would signify at least modest progress. Typically whenever the military regime meets with Thai government officials, two things happen.

The regime promises eventual economic benefit to Thailand and complains-or threatens-Thailand over ethnic groups or exiles from Burma. Sadly for Thailand, the promises of economic gain prove elusive and whatever Thailand does to pressure the ethnic groups is never enough. If the regime's new Foreign Minister breaks this pattern, I believe that would be of benefit to Thailand.

The regime constantly promises economic benefit to Thai investors, but you have only to look at the Thai banks in Burma to see the reality. Most Thai banks have already closed or are planning to close their operations in Burma because the regime's promises to liberalize the economy have not been kept.

The military talks about privatization and open markets but there is little evidence that they are serious. The stated policy of the National League for Democracy is to have truly free markets and we look forward to welcoming international-including Thai-- investment in Burma. However, unless U Win Aung and his regime begin to deliver on the kinds of economic policy advocated by the NLD--free and transparent markets-I do not see how Thailand can benefit from the current regime.

Secondly, I believe that Thailand could benefit from U Win Aung's visit if he stops complaining that the Thai government is not doing enough to make life difficult for Burma's ethnic groups. Thailand and Burma are neighbors. Our peoples have lived along side each other for many centuries and will always be neighbors. We must, therefore, strive to be good neighbors and friends.

I would be a bit cheeky, but use it to highlight the serious nature of the one-sided relationship. That is the military are takers and users, not givers. Neighbors, at nation to nation level should have a reciprocal relationship and therefore enjoy mutual benefits. This is just the way of human affairs. It is also a legal principle enshrined in common law, the legal system practiced for a long time in Burma.

The neighborhood principle is that one owes a duty of care towards their neighbor, not to cause them injury.

When repression, forced labor and other abuses has made life impossible for many people in Burma, Thailand has sheltered them. This is an act of great merit and shows that Thailand can be a good neighbor to Burma. But Burma must also be a good neighbor to Thailand.

U Win Aung should listen to Thailand's legitimate concerns; about the illegal workers who must come to Thailand because the regime's economic mismanagement means there are no jobs in Burma; about the regime's tolerance for drug trafficking which means that drugs from Burma flow through Thailand; about the repression of Burma's ethnic groups which causes refugees to flee to Thailand.

The Thais have suffered and are suffering by having such a large influx of Burmese refugees on their soil, who are there because of primarily the criminal behavior of the Tatmadaw, the Burma Army. The Tatmadaw have entered Thai soil impugning Thai sovereignty, and killing Thai nationals. (perhaps the Thais could benefit by presenting U Win Aung with an account for the cost it keeps to have the refugees there and compensation for loss of face and loss of life of Thai people.)

I would request that the Thai Foreign Minister Dr. Surin Pitsuwan use the opportunity to demonstrate how a nation can move from military domination to civilian government and actually enhance the nation's quality of life.

To summarize, I believe that Thailand could benefit if the regime begins to deliver on its promises to open the economy, if it complains less about Thailand's policies and does more to reform its own policies that cause trouble for Thailand. Sadly, I am not optimistic that this regime is capable of doing any of these things and that for real benefit, Thailand will have to wait until there is an elected parliament in power, in Burma.

Thank you.