LOEs A MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT IN BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN BRUNEI-MALAYSIA

FROM HAFIZAH KAMARUDDIN

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 15 (Bernama) -- The ending of the overlapping
land and maritime border issues between Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam with the
inking of the Letters of Exchange (LOEs) between leaders of both countries on
Monday, will be a milestone achievement in the bilateral relations between both
countries, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said on Sunday.

He said with the signing of the LOEs between Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei at the Istana Darul
Iman here tomorrow, would mark the end of the long tussle between both countries
over land boundaries especially involving East Malaysia Sarawak-state, and
maritime boundaries.

"The letters contain several principles of cooperation to be implemented in
the surveying and demarcation of the land and maritime borders," he told
Malaysian journalists who will be covering the milestone event here Sunday.

Rais said finally Malaysia could determine several land and sea areas for
commercial exploitation which now had been agreed on in principle by both
parties and would later serve the interests of the two nations besides
determining the Exclusive Economic Zones and maritime region.

"The resolution of this matter between the Prime Minister and the Sultan of
Brunei has very high value in the context of intra-Asean cooperation and between
both countries," he said.

He said both countries in reaching the agreement to settle the issues had
used five old treaties regarding the demarcation of the borders which started
since 1920. The five agreements previously will serve as the guide for the
future dealings.

The "watershed principle" would be used as the guide for the land border
while the United Nation's Convention on the Law of the Sea for the EEZ and
maritime regions, he said.

He said talks to arrive at an agreement to resolve the issues lasted six
years with 39 sessions held between the two countries before things were
finalised for the LOEs.

Describing the exchange of letters between both countries as a "happy
ending" and a win-win situation for both parties, he said the result was one of
give and take between both governments in the spirit of neighbourliness.

Pursuant to the exchange of the letters, a joint technical commitee will be
given the task to finalise the details on the boundary issues between both
countries.

Among the issues include overlapping claims in the Limbang district of
Sarawak and also in sea areas rich in gas and oil reserves but could not be
exploited because of the differences.

-- BERNAMA