Thai vow to push back Burma refugee (r)

[yindee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Re: Thai vow to push back Burma refugees.

Dear BurmaNet readers and Mr Ron Corben,

On behalf of The Nation, an English-language newspaper in Thailand,
I'm posting this information to inform the Burmanet readers that proper 
accreditions should be given to all The Nation reports and articles.

Best,

yindee


> From: Myo Aye <082903@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Thai vow to push back Burma refugees.
> 
> 
> 		Thai vow to push back Burma refugees
> 		************************************
> 
> Thailand says it will "push back" up to 100,000 ethnic Karen and Burmese 
> minority refugees once fighting inside Burma subsides, a move that would 
> mark the end of the Karen's 50-year fight for autonomy.
> 
> The decision to return the refugees was made at a meeting of Thailand's 
> National Security Council chaired by the Prime Minister, General Chavalit 
> Yongchayudh, and including the Interior Minister, Mr Snoh Tienthong; the 
> Army Chief, General Chetta Thanajaro; the Foreign Minister, Mr Prachuab 
> Chaiyasarn; and the Supreme Commander, General Mongkol Amphornphisit.
> 
> "The meeting reached a final decision that it is necessary to push all 
> these people (refugees) out," Mr Snoh told local media, adding that they 
> would be allowed to stay until the fighting subsided. 
> 	
> But he addes that before this could take place they would be able to stay 
> on Thai territory for humanitarian reasons until the fighting ended.
> 
> "When the situation in Burma is peaceful and safe (Thailand) then has to 
> send all the refugees back," General Chetta said.
> 
> "This (repatriation) is an international law which all parties concerned 
> are well aware of. So nobody can accuse us of lacking humanitarian 
> principles."
> 
> The renewal of the NSC's policy comes amid international concern over 
> reports of the forced repatriation of refugees fleeing a continuing dry 
> season offensive by Burmese forces. Thousands of refugees have crossed 
> into Thailand in recent weeks.
> 
> Thailand has categorically denied forcing refugees back over the border. 
> The US led a recent outcry by Western countries, including Australia, 
> over reports that the Thai army forcibly repatriated some 900 Karen women 
> and children to Burma.
> 
> Military analysts said any sucessful repatriation by Thailand would be 
> "the end of the KNU (Karen National Union) if it happens".
> 
> The KNU has been fighting a five-decade war for greater autonomy from 
> Rangoon. Its forces had in the past been seen as a buffer between 
> Thailand and Burma.
> 
> However, a rapproachement between Rangoon and Bangkok due to burgeoning 
> economic ties has isolated the Karen.
> 
> [By RON CORBEN, Bangkok, 13 March 1997].
> 
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>