UPDATE ON KAREN REFUGEE CAMPS #5

[durham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

2 Febuary 1997  8:15 pm Thailand time

Currently there are about 200 KNLA soldiers fighting DKBA and Slorc troops
on the east side of Bae Klaw.  It sounds like the KNLA are at least
slowing the Burmese military down, making it difficult for them to cross
the river.  

Earlier today, the rice shipment made it to Bae Klaw.  Refugees came down
from the mountains to get a week's supply of rice and then returned to the
mountains, so people have adequate rice supplies for the time being.

It was confirmed that last night there was heavy shelling near Sho Klo.
In response, the Thai military has sent a considerable number of troops to
the area with orders to fire apon any DKBA forces in the area.  

Maw Kher camp (south of Mae Sot) has been preparing for the possibility of
an attack although things have been quiet there so far.

There are rumours at Huay Kaloke that the DKBA will return tonight, but
this is often the rumour every night ther.  Residents of Huay Kaloke move
to the field at night, but few can sleep.  There's a curfew of 7pm and
people are very tense.  During the day, the camp gets quite hot and the
wind blows ash around.  Some children have visited the places where their
homes used to stand and can be seen picking up remnents of clothing or
playing in the ashes.  

The NGOs are now in full emergency swing and material needs are not as
critical as before.  Security remains the biggest issue among the camps.

The Thai press carried more Burma-related articles than usual and I assume
they will be posted to Burmanet in the near future.

Think of ways to incorporate the current situation into the international
campaign.

Burma Issues