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NEWS - Thai Troops on Alert along M
- Subject: NEWS - Thai Troops on Alert along M
- From: Rangoonp@xxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 03:27:00
Subject: NEWS - Thai Troops on Alert along Myanmar Border
Thai Troops on Alert along Myanmar Border
AP
16-DEC-98
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Thai army units along the
border with Myanmar have been on alert since last week in
anticipation of renewed fighting between ethnic rebels and
Myanmar's military government, Thailand's army commander
in chief said today.
"We haven't increased the number of troops, but the troops
are on alert and we have rapid reaction forces ready," Gen.
Surayud Chulanont told The Associated Press.
Hostilities in Myanmar have repeatedly spilled onto Thai
soil,
with both Myanmar soldiers and the ethnic guerrillas allied
with them crossing the border to burn refugee camps
throughout 1997.
More than 100,000 mostly Karen refugees are living in
camps inside Thailand, having fled what they charge is an
ethnic cleansing campaign conducted by Myanmar's military.
The Karen have been fighting for autonomy from the
government in Yangon since 1949. In recent years the
Myanmar army has dislodged them from most of their bases
inside the country.
With the 50th anniversary of their rebellion coming up in
January, some rebel leaders expect the army will launch
another offensive aimed at wiping them out.
Surayud said that he was seeking permission from the
Interior Ministry to move the refugees farther inside
Thailand
to make it more difficult for invading forces to reach them.
The Thai army, under Surayud's predecessor, Gen. Chetta
Thanajaro, was criticized by international human rights
groups and Western governments last year for failing to
protect the refugees.