Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Sun, 13 Dec 1992 19:00:41 EST
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      TH: Govt may rev logging policy

=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 92 23:04:52+0700
From: Kamol Hengkietisak <kamol@ipied.tu.ac.th>

FOR the sake of the environment, the Government must review its
policy on logging in neighbouring countries, Foreign Minister
Prasong Soonsiri said yesterday.

Thailand must cooperate with Burma, Laos and Cambodia in the
management of natural resources, Sqn Ldr Prasong said.

"We do not want Thai concerns to destroy natural resources (of
neighboring countries) without regard to the consequences, which
would make us look like robbers. We want to cooperate on the basis
of mutual interest and mutual responsibility," he said.

Firms engaged in logging have been criticized for destroying the
natural resources of neighboring countries "because Thailand has
no more forests for them to destroy," he said.

Thailand must try to be a leader of the Indochina region.
Neighboring countries will cooperate where the environment is
concerned, he said.

At one time his work placed him on opposite sides to the
Indochinese states, but the situation has changed, he said. Sqn
Ldr Prasong is a former Secretary-General of the National Security
Council.

"People say a person who has carried out one duty is not able to
do any other," he said.

"Given such an attitude, nobody could go for a change of position
at all. At the national level, one must stick to policy. Let's
wait and see."

Sqn Ldr Prasong said Thailand's policy towards Burma will not
change. It is to continue the relationship "on the basis of
creative cooperation, mutual understanding and opportunities."

Thailand will not support any sanctions or interference in Burma's
internal affairs.

"Thailand is Burma's neighbour and cannot adopt the policy of the
West on this."

On Cambodia, Sqn Ldr Prasong reaffirmed that Thailand will comply
strictly with UN sanctions against the Khmer Rouge.

He said the Government has a duty to protect the interest of
Thais, but if there is a conflict will place the national interest
before that of certain groups of businessmen.

The national interest is more important as it involves the
national image and the long-term interests of the majority of the
people, he said.

"Thailand is not an obstacle to the UN resolution. On the
contrary, we were among the first to support peace in Cambodia and
we are still doing this, although many nations try to forget the
part played by Thailand."

He said he will discuss with Lt-Gen John Sanderson, the military
head of the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia, the enforcement
of UN sanctions.

"As long as no clear-cut enforcement plans are laid down, Thailand
is entitled to alleviate the hardships of Thai businessmen doing
business in the Khmer Rouge-controlled area," he said.

He said Thailand awaits a reply from Cambodia's Supreme National
Council to its request to allow Thai merchants to take timber
already felled out of Cambodia.

He said the world community has brought into question Thai
sincerity in its stance on the Khmer Rouge, although Thailand has
never supported the guerrillas or defied the UN resolution.

"Many countries believe that without the revenue that comes from
trading with Thai merchants, the Khmer Rouge would stop being
stubborn. But we do not trade only with the Khmer Rouge. We trade
with all Khmer factions. There is no rule forbidding us from doing
so," he said.

On Bill Clinton's choice of Secretary of State, Sqn Ldr Prasong
said it will make no difference if the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs Of Staff, Gen Colin Powell, is appointed. Mr Clinton and
his Cabinet take office on January 20.

Policies will overpower personalities and Gen Powell's becoming
Secretary of State will not affect Thailand, he said.

The American Democrats are likely to concentrate on domestic
issues, such as debt and economic recovery, and will tend to fight
trading rivals such as those in the European Community rather than
a relatively small country like Thailand, he said.
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