SWP
FE/0073 A3/3
said the measure was being considered but implementation would depend on developments at the conflict in Chat Trakan district of Phitsanulok.
Vientiane has been making about 600m baht a year by exporting electricity from its Nam Ngum hydro dam to the north-east, and that figure represents about 80% of Laos' foreign exchange earnings. Sqn-Ldr Prasong said Thailand has been buying electricity on a friendly basis but has the capacity to produce enough power to meet local demand. The Laotian supply, representing about 3% of Thailand's power needs, could be made up from EGAT supplies, he said. . . ('Bangkok Post' in English 11 Feb 88)
Thai Customs Department to tighten checkpoints on Lao border (Excerpt) The Customs Department was instructed yesterday [9th February] to impose stricter measures at checkpoints along the Thai-Lao border to prevent strategic military supplies from entering Laos. The instruction was given to Deputy Finance Minister Praphat Phothisuthon by Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanon during a meeting yesterday... ('Bangkok Post' in English 10 Feb 88)
"Brotherhood policy” continues between Thai city and Lao capital (Excerpt) While a fierce Thai-Laotian border conflict rages just 400 km away, "Nong Khai authorities still abide by the brotherhood policy", the provincial governor said. "The border battle near Ban Romklao (Phitsanulok Province) is limited only to that area," Governor Santi Manikan said over the weekend [6th-7th February]. But Nong Khai, though opposite the Laotian capital, “is not a war zone". He said contacts between local people on both sides of Mekong River are going on normally.
Santi disclosed that the north-eastern city this year will invite the Vientiane administration to send boats to race with Thais in the annual boat racing festival between local Thai and Laotian people. Santi said the provincial officials issue about 70-80 permits daily for local Thais to cross the border to visit their relatives in Laos... (Bangkok ‘The Nation' in English 10 Feb 88)
OTHER REPORTS ON INDOCHINA
CGDK cabinet meets, urges Sihanouk to reconsider resignation (Text) The CGDK today [10th February] urged Samdech Norodom Sihanouk to reconsider his decision of resignation as President of Democratic Kampuchea. The call was made at a CGDK cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Son Sann. Attending the meeting were Prince Norodom Ranaridh, Sihanouk's representative, Khieu Samphan, Vice-President of Democratic Kampuchea, and eight ministers of the coalition. An informed source of the Prime Minister's office told Xinhua tonight that the cabinet held that Samdech Sihanouk "is a great patriot and a well- known leader who plays an important role in the struggle against Vietnamese aggression" and hoped that he "would resume soon his duty as President of Democratic Kampuchea". "In the meantime," he said, "the CGDK still considers Samdech Sihanouk President of Democratic Kampuchea."
12 Feb 88
The source said that today's meeting also expressed satisfaction with the progress in every field of the struggle of the three parties under the CGDK, with the support of the Kampuchean people and the people of the world. The meeting heard with satisfaction a report by Vice-President Khieu Samphan on his recent talks with Samdech Sihanouk in Peking, China, according to the source. A communique on the meeting is expected to be issued tomorrow. (Xinhua in English 1713 gmt 10 Feb 88)
Indonesian Foreign Minister reviews Cambodian issue (Excerpt) Foreign Minister Mochtar Kusumaatmadja said here [Jakarta] Indonesia is now waiting for the ASEAN-supported resistance groups in Kampuchea to resume their efforts to find a political solution while Indonesia and Vietnam continues to prepare for the long-envisaged "cocktail party". Back from a visit to Moscow, Mochtar said Indonesia can not do much more than pave the way for the "party" proposed on the basis of the agreement forged between Indonesia and Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City in July last year. He said at the Sukarno- Hatta airport the Kampuchean issue with its latest development and the position of Indonesia and ASEAN on it were among the important topics he discussed with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and his Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze in Moscow. Both, according to Mochtar, understood and supported the attitudes and efforts of ASEAN which are aimed at achieving a solution to the Kampuchean issue acceptable to all the parties concerned.
On China's role relating to the issue, Mochtar indirectly indicated that that country could persuade the Khmer Rouge to agree to enter a dialogue. He said China had continually been informed about developments through the Indonesian permanent representative office at the UN and this "had been highly appreciated". This has been done considering that China's help is also very much needed, he explained. . . (Antara in English 0331 gmt 11 Feb 88)
PRK alleges Thai violations in January (Text) In January this year, Thai war planes of the L-19, F-5, F-19 and F-111 types made 55 intrusions into Kampuchean airspace over the Kampuchea-Thailand-Laos border intersection, O Smach, Anlung Veng, Malai, Ta Sanh and the end of Road 56. On land, Thai gunners fired from 1,000-9,500 artillery and mortar rounds a day on various areas in Preah Vihear, Siem Reap-Oddar Meanchy, Battambang, Pursat and Banteay Meanchey provinces. Thai armed vessels also made 114 incursions into Kampuchean territorial waters from 8-10 miles off Kaoh Pring, Kaoh Tang, and Poulo Wai islands.
Always vigilant and combat-ready, Kampuchean border guards in co-ordination with Vietnamese army volunteers promptly intercepted groups of reactionary Khmers who were sneaking into Kampuchean territory for sabotage activities, putting out of action 747 intruders, including 488 killed, 124 captured, 135 forced to lay down their arms, and seizing 206 assorted guns and a quantity of ammunition and war means. (SPK in English 1108 gmt 9 Feb 88)
Thailand reiterates policy on Vietnamese refugees to UN official (Excerpts) The Interior Ministry yesterday [9th February] told the High Commissioner for Refugees