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Chavalit proposes to help develop Burma : 

Feeling comes from 'bottom of my heart' 

Wassana Nanuam

Bangkok Post, April 10, 2001

Defence Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will push for development in Burma, including a port and a coal mine, as a means of helping solve the problems of drug trafficking, illegal migration and other cross-border crime.

"I would like to see our neighbouring country become prosperous at the same time as we do," Gen Chavalit said.

 

"If we are developed while our neighbour continues to live in poverty, then peace will not be possible.

 

"This is a feeling from the bottom of my heart."

He termed the idea "cross border development".

 

It was already under way, he said, pointing to the 10-billion-baht Thai project to dam the Salween river in Burma. This would also benefit Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in terms of power and water supply.

 

In an interview in the Defence Ministry magazine, Gen Chavalit said he planned to help Burma develop a port in the Gulf of Martaban, opposite Mae Sot in Tak province.

The port would open Burma to the Andaman Sea. China would also participate in the project, he said.

 

A large coal mine was also planned, opposite Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, in which Japan was interested.

 

"If we help them develop their country, the problems of drugs, illegal labour migration and cross-border crime will disappear," Gen Chavalit said.

The defence minister also said the armed forces would have to take on a diplomatic role to boost the bilateral relationship.

 

"Defence diplomacy will create good understanding and a brotherhood between military key figures of both sides," Gen Chavalit said.

 
 

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