 Online edition of India's National Newspaper Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| National |
|
|
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Retail Plus | Classifieds | Jobs |
National
Myanmar should be convinced to work with Suu Kyi: Piromya “We should work together on tracing Somalian piracy's ransom” NEW DELHI: Foreign Minister of Thailand Kasit Piromya has advocated a closer security relationship with India — intelligence-sharing in particular — to check money-laundering and drug-trafficking. India and Thailand also must cooperate in tackling piracy off the Somalian coast, Mr. Piromya told The Hindu, while here on his second visit to the country in just over a year. The Minister wanted closely coordinated positions on Myanmar — opposing western sanctions while encouraging the regime to take democracy-icon Aung San Suu Kyi on board for nation-building and release political prisoners. A leading advocate for greater connectivity between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Mr. Piromya touched upon the missing links and what could be done to ensure seamless air, land and sea connections. Mr. Piromya's visit was preceded by that of Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai and will be followed by that of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. He was here to attend the India-ASEAN dialogue as well as lay the groundwork for Mr. Vejjajiva's upcoming visit. In the security area, Mr. Piromya felt the first priority should be intelligence-networking in order to check money laundering, cross-border drugs and human trafficking. “Second is that we have been more affected by the Somalian pirates. Our fishing and commercial fleet has been subjected to ransom. At the same time, the United Nations Secretary General has asked the former French Minister, Jack Lang, to submit a report. We should be working closely on this, I told External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, not only in terms of providing ships off the Somalian coast but to work on beefing up preventive and self-help measures for the merchant fleet. “We also have to do something for the Somalian authorities on land because the pirates, after getting captured, have to be [brought] out on land for trials. We should work together in tracing the ransom because it is being negotiated by a middleman in Europe — which is an international crime.” On the military side, besides joint exercises, he advocated joint work on Research & Development in military support equipment and main military hardware. Asked about India's position on Myanmar, Mr. Piromya pointed out that the common message to the regime should be for further political liberties, the release of prisoners and accommodating Aung Suu Kyi in nation-building. At the same time, both countries should vigorously oppose western sanctions and any move to later conduct an international trial of people suspected of human rights abuses. “Suu Kyi — whether you like it or not — you have to work with her. I hope the Myanmar government would have substantial dialogue with her. She is a person the world will listen to. One has to convince the new leadership that Suu Kyi would help Myanmar on the world stage.” Following a meeting with her in January, the Thailand Foreign Minister came away with the impression that “she is determined to work for her country and be an active participant in Asean projects”. He wanted the trials for alleged abuse of human rights to be an internal affair and, should the need arise, to resolve matters within the Asean community. On air connectivity, he said: “What is needed is an open skies policy and the upgrading of regional airports. For better sea linkages, the Asian Development Bank could be involved to examine the port infrastructure and provide a soft loan.” As far as road linkage was concerned, the Thai Minister felt that with the Myanmar capital moving to the north, its government would pay more attention to a linkage between northern Thailand and India via Mandalay.
Printer friendly
page
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | The Hindu ePaper | Business Line | Business Line ePaper | Sportstar | Frontline | Publications | eBooks | Images | Ergo | Home |
Copyright © 2011, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|