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BurmaNet News February 28, 1997




------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------

The BurmaNet News: February 28, 1997
Issue #652  

SPECIAL ISSUE: RE - THAI ARMY FORCIBLY REPATRIATES KAREN REFUGEES
UPDATES AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES

HEADLINES:
==========
BURMANET: UPDATE (3) SITUATION OF KAREN REFUGEES 
KNU: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN KAREN STATE, BURMA
KNU: BORDER SITUATION UPDATE
NCUB: PRESS RELEASE NO [7]
NCUB PRELEASE NO [8]
NCUB: PRESS RELEASE NO [9]
BURMA ISSUES: FACT SHEET - FORCED REPATRIATION
AP: THAILAND SENDS HUNDREDS MORE BURMESE REFUGEES BACK 
UNHCR: STATEMENT ON THE FORCIBLE REPATRIATION FROM 
UNHCR (THAILAND): PRESS RELEASE - RE: KAREN REFUGEES
US STATE DEPT: TRANSCRIPT:  STATE DEPT. NOON BRIEFING, FEB. 27
US STATE DEPT:  BRIEFING ON SLORC'S FIGHT AGAINST KARENS
PRESS RELEASE: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS CONDEMN SLORC 
INTERNATIONAL JOINT STATEMENT: INTERNATIONAL BURMA 
ABC/BURMA OFFICE: PROTEST RALLY ON MARCH 2, 1997
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: FEAR FOR SAFETY/FEAR OF REFOULEMENT
FBC (SEATTLE): SAMPLE LETTER TO THE THAI PRIME MINISTER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

BURMANET: UPDATE (3) SITUATION OF KAREN REFUGEES 
Along the Thai/Burmese Border in the Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and 
Sangklaburi Areas
February 28, 1997

After discussions between UNHCR and the 9th army in Kanchanaburi this
morning, UNHCR wrote an official letter expressing grave concern about the
refugee situation along the Thai/Burmese border and violations of
international humanitarian asylum and refugee principles. (An UNHCR Press
Release on the situation is attached at the end of this summary.)

Today, General Chetta, the Supreme Commander of the Thai Army,  issued an
order that there should be no more relocations and repatriations to the
Htaw Ma Pyo Hta area.  (Htaw Ma Pyo Hta is inside Burma across from the
Thai town of Suan Pung.)  However, the order came to late to prevent the
relocation and repatriation of at least two truck loads of refugees from
Amla Kee this morning.  Many of these refugees were exhausted, were
without food, cooking pots or other possessions.  Some had nothing.  Some
refugees were also ill; at least two individuals were in need of medical
assistance 
but they were refused permission to stay in Thailand.  Among those repatriated 
were at least three orphans, separated from their parents during the recent
SLORC 
offensive in the area.  

The water supply in the Htaw Ma Pyo Hta area is limited and of
poor quality.  The  location where the repatriated refugees had gathered
is at least five kilometers inside Burma; from the point where they were
dropped off by the Thai's during the relocation to the places where they
have congregated entails a difficult eight kilometer walk.  The
repatriated refugees reported that they did not have a choice but to
return to Burma.  Some, who had never been to the area (and who had
travelled for as long as two weeks), did not know where to go when they
were forced back across the border.  The Thai military pointed the way and
indicated where they were to go.

Htaw Ma Pyo Hta is neither a safe location for those repatriated today nor
those repatriated previously from Bong Tee.  SLORC forces are currently
advancing towards the area from two directions--one 20 kilometers north
close to the Thai border and the other 30 kilometers to the northwest.  At
their current  rate, SLORC troops will reach the repatriated individuals
in Htaw Ma Pyo Hta in two or three days.

In the site at Pu Nam Rawn, SLORC troops are 15 minutes walk from the
refugees, which places them in immediate danger.  In addition, there are
reports that perhaps as many as 100 DKBA  are within four hours of the
site at Pu Nam Rawn.  DKBA's persistent pattern of attacks on refugee
camps in the Mae Sot area further heightens the refugees' fears.  The fear
is so great that the refugees are staying up all night.

Concerned villagers from the neighboring Thai community of Huay Nam Khao
have shown  compassion and understanding by providing food and water as
well as clothing and other basic supplies to the dispossessed refugees in
Pu Nam Rawn.

In the Sangklaburi area, Karen refugees at Htee Lai Pah camp are under
immediate threat by the Burmese army who are estimated to be only two or
three kilometers away.  An estimated 1,200 refugees are currently
sheltering near a monastery inside Burma and provides little protection
from SLORC's forces.  Aid workers who were headed for the site turned back
after being warned about the close proximity of the fighting.

*******************************************************

KNU: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN KAREN STATE, BURMA
February 27, 1997

Rape and Violence  Against Women

On February 17,1997, SLORC's troops of Division 55 forced 13 women from
K'Hser Doh township, Mergui-Tavoy district to serve as porters for them and
took them to K'Neh Kaw, Maw P'tru and Leh Mu village. There, they raped these
women and shot them dead.

On the 17th of February,1997, the same SLORC's troops gang raped a 25 year
old woman at her home in the presence of her parents.

On the 18th of February, the same SLORC's troops gang raped a 50 year old
woman who managed to escape from them and arrived K'neh Kaw village the 
next day.

Forced Labour

On February 12,1997, SLORC's Light Infantry Battalion 546 forced the
villagers in Paan township, Thaton district, to fence the motor car road from
Myaing K'Lay to K'Ma Maung. Adults as well as children from age 12 were
forced to work there every day and they have to take their own meals with them.

************************************************************

KNU: BORDER SITUATION UPDATE
February 27, 1997

Karen civilians who crossed into Thailand to seek refuge were forced back
into Burma by local Thai authorities on February 25, 1997. These people were
from KNU No.4 Brigade area where SLORC's troops are launching a major
offensive against the KNU.

A total number of 1138 refugees were forced back. 230 men from Bong Ti were
forcibly sent back to Htee Kee On February 25,1997. Htee Kee which is KNU
No.4 Brigade headquarters was under imminent attack by the SLORC"s troops and
was clearly not a safe area.

On the same day, 306 women and children from Phu Nam Laung were forcibly put
on trucks and taken to Htaw Ma Pyo Hta (Burma), adjacent to the border near
Suan Phung(Muang Takua Pit Thong). The next day, February 26, more women and
children were forced back to Htaw Ma Pyo Hta and the number is 602. Here,
there were already 434 women and children from the on going mass village
relocation programme to the North west Mergui-Pychha area. Thus, the total
number of women and children in Htaw Ma Pyo Hta is 1342. More women and
children from Phu Nam Laung are likely to be forced back to Htaw Ma Pyo Hta
but the date is yet unknown.. According to the report, there  are still 2000
women and children in Phu Nam Laung.

KNU Information Center

**************************************************************

NCUB: PRESS RELEASE NO [7]
February 26, 1997

N A T I O N A L   C O U N C I L   OF   T H E   U N I O N   O F   B U R M A
PRESS RELEASE NO [7]
	
SLORC Troops Leave Trail of Burning Villages in Mergui-Tavoy District 
Date: February 26, 1995

SLORC has extended its latest offensive against the Karen National Union (KNU) 
to the Mergui-Tavoy District.   The offensive has forced villagers to
abandon their 
villages and flee for the Thai Burma border.  Thousands have already taken
refuge 
on the Thai side of the border to escape large-scale abuses by SLORC troops. 

There is report of shortages in food and shelter as the displaced villagers
had to 
leave in a  hurry and were unable to bring sufficient food with them.
Several porters 
who escaped from the SLORC troops said many of the fleeing villagers
captured by 
SLORC troops were forced to carry military supplies and made to walk in front 
of the troops as human minesweepers.   Several people unable to carry supplies 
and  who attempted to run away were executed by SLORC soldiers.

Sources at the border said about 7,000 refugees have arrived at the 
Thai-Burma border as of today.  Thai authorities permitted women and 
children to cross the border into Thailand but forced the men to stay in 
Burma.   The women and children were reported to have been sent straight 
to a camp in Ratchaburi.

Since the offensive against the KNU began in Mergui-Tavoy District on 
February 8, 1997,  SLORC troops have burnt down Myitta, Kwe Waw Wah, 
Kalat Kee, Ka Nal Pose and other villages.

On February 9, SLORC No. 25 Infantry Regiment set 16 houses on fire at 
Kalatkee village.  They executed an innocent villager named Saw Paw Na.  

On February 12, the same regiment burnt down five houses and a Christian 
church in Ka Nel Pose village.  The commander also ordered the execution of 
seven sick SLORC soldiers and 20 porters.

On February 16, SLORC's No. 273 Infantry Regiment burnt down Ka Neh Hqae 
(Pyar Thar Chaung) village in Paw Kin river valley, Ban Chaung village in Paw 
Klao river valley and Phaung Daw village. The villages were accused of 
supporting the KNU.  All  farms belonging to the villages were torched and the 
farm animals were taken away.

On February 17, Ka Witt Hta village was burnt down and many villagers were 
forced to serve as porters for the No. 17 and No. 101 SLORC Infantry Regiments. 
The whole village population has fled.

On the same day,  advancing SLORC troops also set fire to Ka Saw War and Ka 
Maw Htar villages.  Htee Pho Lay and Lo Ray villages were burnt down on 
February 18.  Some plantations were also destroyed by the troops.

The Information Committee, NCUB	

***************************

NCUB PRELEASE NO [8]
February 26, 1997
lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

N A T I O N A L   C O U N C I L   O F  T H E   U N I O N   O F   B U R M A
PRESS RELEASE NO [8]
NCUB Concerned Over `Uncertainty' Of Thai-Burmese Border Talks
Date February 26, 1997

The National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) is very much concerned 
about the uncertainty surrounding the talks between Burma and Thai 
Governments, which included the question of unilateral repatriation of 
refugees back to Burma. 

The NCUB opposes any forced repatriation under the present circumstances.  
The people who took refuge in Thailand did not flee from the fighting alone.  
They fled because they are subjected to rape, extra-judicial killings, village 
burning, involuntary disappearances, forced laboring and portering.  In other 
words, the people cannot lead a normal life under the SLORC in Burma.

The NCUB would like to call on the Thai Government and the 
international community 

1)	To persuade the SLORC to resolve political problems through political 
means and to enter into a tripartite dialogue with pro-democracy and ethnic
forces.   
This is because history has proven that military means cannot resolve political 
problems.

2)	To provide a safe haven to the refugees and prevent them from being 
forced back into the hands of the SLORC which is bent on destroying these
people 
who are considered as supporters of the KNU.

The NCUB also calls on the entire people of Burma to redouble their political 
defiance activities to topple the brutal SLORC junta and restore democracy and 
human rights in Burma.  On its part, the NCUB pledges that it will continue 
the struggle against the SLORC until democracy and human rights are restored 
in Burma .

The Information Committee, NCUB

*****************************

NCUB: PRESS RELEASE NO [9]
February 27, 1997

N A T I O N A L   C O U N C I L   O F  T H E   U N I O N   O F   B U R M A
Press Release No [9]
SITUATION IN KNU BRIGADE [4] AREA FOLLOWING SLORC'S OFFENSIVE
Date: February 27, 1997

Mid-day, February 27 -- Troops from the Karen National Liberation Army 
(KNLA) and the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) continue 
to defend Htee Kee village, near the KNLA Brigade 4 Headquarters.  They have 
so far prevented SLORC troops from entering the village. Since last night,
there 
have been exchanges of heavy weapons fire between the two sides around Htee 
Kee village.

At 5:00 p.m. yesterday, SLORC troops arrived at Alal Store village, midway 
between Htee Kee and Htee Htar villages.  The SLORC soldiers then shelled 
Htee Kee village before advancing toward it. 

Last night, SLORC troops tried to enter Htee Kee by relying on their
superiority 
in numbers and in firing power.  Several rounds of 81-mm mortar and M-79 
grenade launchers were fired in the attack. Meanwhile, sources in Brigade 4
area 
say there has been a sudden increase in the number of refugees coming out of 
Burma into Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi Provinces of Thailand. Refugee count 
in Brigade 4 area was 7,000 on February 26 but the number increased to 23,000 
today.  Sources say more refugees are expected to cross the border in the
coming 
days. 

Yesterday, over 900 women and children from Bong Htee were separated from 
the men and sent to Amphoe Suan Phang of Ratchaburi province by Thai
authorities. 
The refugees were later sent back to Htaw Ma Phyo and Htaw Ma Maung villages 
on the Burma side opposite Ta Ko Luang village, Amphoe Suan Phang of Ratchaburi 
Province.  A total of 230 men who tried to enter Thai territory were pushed
back 
to Phu Nam Luang village.  At last report, there were no more refugees left in 
Bong Htee.   

Thai authorities are expected to evacuate refugees from Phu Nam Luang village 
to Htaw Ma Pyo and Htaw Ma Maung villages on the Burma side soon. Today, 
over 3,000 refugees are stranded in Ban Phu Nam Laung.  Ban Phu Nam Luang 
is a Thai village abandoned by the villagers when the fighting became fierce.

The National Council of the Union of Burma has expressed deep concern about 
the condition of the refugees as they are now in a high risk area, caught 
between SLORC and Thai troops.  The NCUB has appealed to the international 
community and the Royal Thai Government to help set up a secure 
environment for the refugees in accordance with international laws and 
internationally-accepted humanitarian standards.

Information Committee, NCUB

********************************************

BURMA ISSUES: FACT SHEET - FORCED REPATRIATION
February 26, 1997 

FACT SHEET:  FORCED REPATRIATION OF KAREN CIVILIANS
INTO AREA OF ONGOING MILITARY OFFENSIVE
27 February 1997
(for immediate distribution; prepared by Burma Issues)

Area of Concern: Mergui/Tavoy district (the Fourth Brigade of the Karen
National Union) of the Tenasserim Division (southern Burma) and
Kanchanaburi Province (western Thailand).

Background:  On 7 February approximately 1,000 Burmese army soldiers with
8 bulldozers, 20 mules, 300 prisoners and 300 villagers as porters began
an offensive in the KNU's 4th Brigade area.  On 12 February they advanced
south through the Tenasserim River valley and  arrived at Htee Hpo Lay;
by 14 February they reached Kwee Waw Wah, and by 21 February they reached
a point close to Law Aw.  A second column of Burmese army soldiers
advanced south along the Paw Klo River and occupied Katonni and Tha Nay
Kler villages by 20 February.  As of 26 February, the Burmese army has
taken Amoe village  (17 km north of Htee Hta, the 4th Brigade's
headquarters) and Amalah village (10 km south of Htee Hta).  These
villages are a 4 to 6 hour walk away from Htee Hta.  Several thousand
civilians evacuated their homes and headed to the Thai-Burma border.  On
the morning of 25 February 1,000 - 1,500 refugees crossed the border at
Ban Pu Nam Rawn, Amphur Muang, Kanchanaburi.  They joined an a group of
approximately 1,500 refugees who had previously fled to the mines of Ban
Pu Nam Rawn.  An additional 1,000 Karen villagers have taken  refuge in
Ban Bong Tee, Amphur Sai Yoke, Kanchanaburi.

Selective Entry Policy:  In an effort to prevent armed combatants from
entering Thailand, the Thai army's 9th Division in Kanchanaburi separated
men aged 15 years and older from the women and younger children.  The men
and boys were forced to return to Burma and told to continue fighting.
Men aged 15 years and older  who have come to Thailand more recently have
been denied entry and urged to defend their homes.  Obvious non-combatants
including male children, sick and elderly men and a priest have been
included in those refused entry to Thailand.

Restriction of Humanitarian Aid and International Presence:  As new
arrivals came to Hti Hta Baw and Tho Kah camps in Kanchanaburi, the Thai
army denied access to relief and medical workers.  These two camps lie
just north and south of the Thai section of the proposed Total-Unocal gas
pipeline route.  On the morning of 25 February, the Thai army also refused
to allow US embassy officials to pass through the Pu Nam Rawn checkpoint.
The embassy officials planned to visit refugees and assess the situation. 

Forced Repatriation into an Active Military Zone:  On 26 February, about
3,000 women and children from Ban Bong Ti Pass in Sai Yok district and Ban
Pu Nam Rawn in Muang district were loaded aboard trucks belonging to a
Thai logging company and forcibly relocated to Suan Phung district,
Ratchaburi.  From Suan Phung they were forcibly repatriated to Paw Ma Pwu
village which is a 4 hour walk away from active military fighting and
heavy shelling.  The 9th Division has also given more than 2,000 Karen
refugees at Hti Hti Baw camp in Sangkhlaburi province two days to decide
whether to be shipped to Ratchaburi or go directly back to Burma.  

In addition to entering the vicinity of armed conflict, the women and
children who have been forcibly repatriated do not have cooking supplies,
medicines, shelter, supplies to build shelter, etc.  Thai authorities have
prevented foreigners from assessing the situation, providing the necessary
supplies and monitoring safety concerns.  Urgent humanitarian intervention
is needed.

Possible Violations of International Human Rights Standards:  Thailand has
signed and adopted the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the 1989
Convention on the Rights of the Child.  The Thai army's 9th Division and
National Security Council's sanctioning of the separation of children
between the ages of 15 and 18 from their families and forced repatriation
of women and children into an active war situation may violate the
following:  articles 6 (survival and development), 9 (separation from
parents), 22 (protection of refugee children), 38 (protection of civilians
from armed conflicts) and 39 (rehabilitative care) of the Convention on
the Rights of the Child;  article 14 (right to asylum) of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights; and articles 3 (equal rights for men and
women) and 4 (requirement to inform other States and the UN when public
emergencies require the derogation of rights) of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

******************************************************

AP: THAILAND SENDS HUNDREDS MORE BURMESE REFUGEES BACK 
ACROSS BORDER BY FORCE
February 28, 1997
by Robert Horn

BAN TAKO BON, Thailand (AP) -- For decades, Thailand sheltered refugees from
  the fighting in neighboring Burma. Now, the Thai army is sending men,
  women and children back across the border, where the Burmese army is
  battling ethnic Karen rebels.

  After Thai and Burmese army commanders held talks this week, Thailand said
  it did not want to become a base for fleeing guerrillas and no longer would
  accept fighting-age men as refugees.

  Women, children and the elderly, however, have been among the 5,000 Karen
  refugees Thailand sent back this week. Thailand claims to have guarantees for
  their safety from Burma.

  Thailand long has used Burma's rebel groups as a buffer against the military
  government in Rangoon. But the potential for greater economic development
  has warmed relations between the two countries, and the Karen believe
  Thailand now wants to profit from a more stable border.

  A $1.2 billion natural gas pipeline is being built through Karen territory
  to sell gas to Thailand. Thai companies also are bidding to develop a
seaport at
  Tavoy, Burma. Highways through Karen territory linking the port to Thailand
  are planned.

  Thailand has granted refuge to 15,000 people since Feb. 11, when they fled a
  Burmese offensive aimed at wiping out the Karen National Union, a guerrilla
  army that has fought for autonomy for ethnic Karens since 1949. Victory
  would give Burma control of its border with Thailand for the first time.

  The newcomers joined about 90,000 Karens who had lived in refugee camps
  on the border for years.

  On Friday, Thai military guards refused to allow reporters into Ban Tako Bon,
  one of several refugee camps in the Thai provinces of Kanchanaburi and
  Ratchaburi.

  An army officer, who refused to be identified, said about 1,000 people were
  inside and that half, including women and children, were being sent back.

  On Wednesday, 900 refugees were taken from here to Hta Ma Pyo Hta, a
  Karen village in Burma just 15 miles from advancing Burmese forces.

  The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees urged Thailand to abandon plans
  to send back 2,300 refugees from a makeshift camp at Pu Nam Rawn and said
  it opposes the forced return of refugees, "especially so when the movement is
  to a location considered dangerous.''

  In Washington, State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns called on
  Thailand "to cease the forcible return of Karen refugees immediately, and to
  recommence provision of asylum until conditions inside Burma permit their
  safe and voluntary return.''

  Amnesty International and other human rights groups made similar appeals.

  A Thai Army spokesman, Maj. Gen. Pongthep Thetpratheep, said Friday that
  no women, children, or disabled people had been sent back, an account
  contradicted by U.S. officials, including Burns, and media reports, including
  Thai TV footage.

  "I would like to assure our brothers and sisters along the border, along with
  you journalists, that we are following the policies according to human rights
  and will confidently defend the Thai people,'' he said.

  Burma has an estimated 100,000 troops trying to crush about 2,500 fighters of
  the Karen National Union and allied groups. The rebels have been forced to
  abandon several camps, putting Burma's military government in nearly full
  control of the 1,500-mile border for the first time.

  The Thai army has told the refugees at Pu Nam Rawn that they will be moved
  to another area farther south starting Monday.

  But visitors there Friday said residents wanted to move immediately, and that
  the camp's vulnerable population appeared to be growing rapidly.

  Camp residents also expressed concern over the fate of about 330 boys forced
  back across the border by Thai authorities earlier this week. There was no
  word on their whereabouts.

  Refugees and aid workers say the Burmese army is burning villages, looting,
  raping and executing people along the way. The estimated 25,000 people living
  in the area, aware they can expect no shelter in Thailand, are fleeing
  deep into Burma's jungle.

***************************************************

AP: EXCERPTS FROM AP REPORTS: FEB 26-27, 1997

PU NAM RAWN, Thailand (AP) Feb 27 -- Burmese soldiers crossed into 
Thailand  on Thursday, trying to raid a makeshift refugee camp housing 
thousands of  ethnic Karens, but Thai troops halted the operation. 

About 2,300 refugees had taken shelter at an abandoned tin mine at
Pu Nam Rawn, an hour's drive west of Kanchanaburi, 70 miles west of
Bangkok. 

The Burmese troops ran into a group of Thai self-defense volunteers and
opened fire before retreating. Regular Thai troops later took positions to
protect the refugee camp. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) Feb 26 -- Thai army officials said today they
are turning back any ethnic Karen men among the thousands of
refugees fleeing a Burmese military offensive near the border.

Karen rebels charged that the Thais were working with the Burmese to 
wipe them out.

Fewer than 2,500 Karen guerrillas are struggling to survive the offensive by 
100,000 Burmese troops. Today, the Burmese occupied Htee Kee, a Karen 
military command base about nine miles from the Thai border.

A victory over the Karen would give Burma control of its border
with Thailand for the first time in its history.

Rebels said Thai soldiers already had been turning back Karen men, whether 
they had weapons or not, separating them from their wives and children.

``They are sending them back so they will be wiped out,'' said one border-based 
aid worker who witnessed several incidents and spoke on condition of anonymity. 
``The Thais are definitely working with the Burmese.''

A high-ranking Thai army officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said 
the order to turn back male refugees had come from Chetta.

``Because of our concern for human rights we will accept women, children and 
the disabled, but not men. They could cause problems like sneaking out at night 
to fight the Burmese,'' the officer said.

``Their plan is to wipe out all the Karen so they can get our natural
resources,'' 
said Saw Kenneth, commander of theKaren National Union's 10th Battalion.

Both the Thais and the Burmese stand to gain economically from an end to the 
Karen insurgency.

Burmese troops and a splinter group of Karen have repeatedly crossed the Thai 
border to attack refugee camps, prompting Thais to criticize their own military 
for failing to protect the country's sovereignty.

Thai army commanders have said there would be no border problems if they 
were allowed to send the refugees back to Burma.

--------------------------------------------------------------

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP)  Feb 27 -- The Thai army is forcing thousands 
of desperate refugees back into Burma's war zones, violating Thailand's 
tradition of offering safe haven to those fleeing persecution, the United
States 
said today.

``We are deeply concerned by the reports, which we have confirmed, and we
are in 
touch with the appropriate authorities to convey this concern,'' said a U.S.
Embassy 
spokesman who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The U.S. Embassy spokesman said that sending the refugees back
``runs counter to Thailand's traditional policy of providing safe
haven to those fleeing persecution.''

Two U.S. Embassy officials who tried to drive from the Thai town
of Kanchanaburi, opposite the offensive's southern front, to inspect
reports of refugee movements were turned back Tuesday by Thai
police, the spokesman said.

The United States has been one of the most vocal critics of Burma's 
military regime overall, particularly the restraints the junta places on 
pro-democracy demonstrators.

A dozen prominent international human rights groups jointly demanded 
that Thailand allow in Burmese refugees.  Sending back ``any 
noncombatants, be they men, women or children, is a violation of 
customary international law and must cease immediately,'' the groups said.

The National Council of the Union of Burma, a political umbrella
of insurgent and opposition groups, said Burmese troops were forcing villagers 
they captured to act as porters and human minesweepers.

Those who tried to run away were executed, said the group, which
urged Thailand to provide sanctuary for the refugees.

Nongovernmental organizations reported that about 40 KNU
fighters had been killed in the region over about the last week and
that a total of 200 in the Burmese army were either killed or wounded.

******************************************************

UNHCR: STATEMENT ON THE FORCIBLE REPATRIATION FROM 
THAILAND OFKAREN REFUGEES
February 28, 1997  
Geneva
 
At a press briefing on 28/2/97 at the Palais des Nations in
Geneva, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) said:
 
"UNHCR is very alarmed about the situation of the Karen
refugees at the Thai border with Myanmar.  We have raised our
concern to Thai officials and we are seeking clarification. On
Thursday, UNHCR staff went on a mission to Kanchinaburi and
Ratchaburi provinces, where they received confirmation that
about 1,000 Karen refugees seeking to enter Thailand from Hti
Lai Par in Myanmar were prevented from doing so. 
 
"The staff was told that all Karen males over the age of 15
were also prevented from entering Thailand.  It was also
confirmed that about 900 Karen who had sought refuge in
Thailand on 22 February were refouled on 25 February. Local
Thai authorities informed UNHCR that the area to which the
refugees were returned, Tha Ma Pyo, is considered safe. 
 
"We are troubled by this in view of the Myanmar army offensive
and the apparent move by Thai authorities to continue
transporting approximately 3,000 Karen, who fled into
Kanchinaburi province during the recent fighting, to Tha Ma Pyo.
 
"UNHCR is concerned about the safety of some 2,000 Karen
refugees who are at Pu Nam Ron in Thailand, which is three km
from the Myanmar army outpost."
 
(posted by the Burma Peace Foundation 28/2/97)

*************************************************

UNHCR (THAILAND): PRESS RELEASE - RE: KAREN REFUGEES
February 28, 1997

UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES
Branch Office for Thailand
                                
UNHCR has today requested the Royal Thai Government for
clarification of disturbing reports from our staff just
returned from the Thai-Myanmar border as well as NGOs and
other sources. The reports concern both the prevention of
Karen males above the age of 15 from entering Thailand and the
forcible movement of women and children from Kanchanaburi to
Ratchaburi province where it was confirmed that they were sent
across the border into areas either not far away from fighting
or in the general vicinity of outposts of the Myanmar army.

According to the reports, approximately 900 Karen who had
sought refuge in Thailand on 22 February 1997 were
involuntarily repatriated on 25 February to a place in Myanmar
called Tha Ma Pyo. UNHCR opposes refoulement, that is, forced
return to the country of origin and especially so when the
movement is to a location considered dangerous.
 
UNHCR has also expressed its concern to Thai authorities
over another group of Karen numbering, according to local Thai
military officials, about 2,000 or more sheltering in Phu Nam
Non, Kanchanaburi where security is reportedly poor.  UNHCR
has heard that there are plans to send these people across the
border as well. We ask that the Thai authorities desist from
such a move.
 
UNHCR is very much disturbed by this information and
continues to be concerned for the lives of those who were
refouled. This Office finds it is difficult to understand
these denials of asylum and acts of refoulement given the
longstanding tradition of hospitality and asylum granting of
the Thai people and the Royal Thai Government's adherence to
international and humanitarian asylum and refugee principles.
 
In addition, the Thai Government had recently announced
that it would relocate the border population farther inside
Thailand to ensure the safety of the Karen camps. We are
awaiting clarification from key senior officials on this matter.

**********************************************

US STATE DEPT: TRANSCRIPT:  STATE DEPT. NOON BRIEFING, FEB. 27
February 27, 1997

State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns briefed.

THAI/KAREN -- Burns read a statement expressing U.S. concern about the
Royal Thai Army forcibly repatriating some 900 Karen women and
children from areas in Ratchaburi Province across the border into Burma.

"We are equally disturbed by reports that the Thai Army forcibly
repatriated civilian Karen males, including boys as young as ten years
old, into Burma near the Karen military headquarters and denied asylum
to several hundred others at the same area," Burns said.

The United States regrets this action, which, he said, runs contrary
to Thailand's previous generous policy of providing asylum to those
fleeing oppression in Burma. Burns said the United States calls upon
the Thai Government not to abandon its historical commitment to
humanitarian treatment of victims of conflict in Burma. Burns said.

********************************************************

US STATE DEPT:  BRIEFING ON SLORC'S FIGHT AGAINST KARENS
February 26, 1997

Q: Do you have anything on Thai troops trucking Burmese women and
children back across the Burmese border?

BURNS: I do not. I know that there's been a lot of fighting along the
border -- Thai-Burma border -- for the last several weeks, the Karen
and others are involved. The United States has been quite critical of
the actions of the Burmese military in that fighting. They've
victimized innocent civilians in that fighting.

*****************************************************

PRESS RELEASE: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS CONDEMN SLORC 
OFFENSIVE AGAINST KAREN REFUGEES
February 26, 1997

The undersigned organizations are gravely concerned over the attacks on
Karen refugees by the Burmese military regime, the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC), and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army
(DKBA).  On January 29, refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border
housing a population that included women, children and elderly, were
burnt to the ground forcing more than 10,000 people to flee further into
Thailand. Nearly a month later, these refugees remain unprotected and
without adequate shelter.

A major offensive against the headquarters of the Karen National Union
(KNU) beginning in early February has resulted in the exodus of an
additional 15,000 refugees in the Umphang area.  As SLORC has continued
to mobilize against all remaining KNU positions, over 3,000 refugees
have attempted to enter Thailand over the past three days near
Kanchanaburi.  Eyewitnesses have reported that since February 24, the
Thai army Ninth Division has refused entry to all males among the
refugees, sending them back into a war zone, and since then, nearly
2,000 women and children have been taken by truck further south.  It is
feared that they will be forcibly returned to Burma.

As organizations committed to protecting and assisting refugees and the
displaced:

  *  We condemn the actions of the SLORC and call on them to immediately
     cease violations of international humanitarian law, especially
     attacks on defenseless civilians.

  *  We welcome the decision of the Royal Thai Government to
     grant temporary asylum to most of those fleeing the military
     offensive and urge that this be extended to ALL refugees,
     including those in the Kanchanaburi area.  The refoulement
     of any non-combatants, be they men, women or children is a
     violation of customary international law and must cease
     immediately.

  *  We ask that priority be given to ensuring the security
     of the refugees displaced by the January attacks on Wangka,
     Don Pa Kiang and Maela camps. This population should immediately 
     be moved to an area where they can be housed and protected.

  *  We commend the fact that the Royal Thai Government has
     identified a possible relocation site for the 15,000 refugees
     in the Umphang area and will allow international aid agencies
     to provide sanitation and shelter at the site.  We urge that
     all refugees in the area be moved to the site as soon as possible.

  *  We call for an on-going presence by the United Nations
     High Commissioner for Refugees in the camps along the
     Thai-Burma border.

                                Signed,

                       Amnesty International/USA
              Asia-Pacific Center for Justice and Peace
  Fédération Internationale des Liques des Droits de l'Homme (FIDH)
            France-Libertés-Fondation Danielle Mitterrand
                       Human Rights Watch/Asia
                    Institute for Asian Democracy
                   International Rescue Committee
                      Non-Violence International
                        Open Society Institute
                        Refugees International
                 Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
                      U.S. Committee for Refugees

*****************************************************

INTERNATIONAL JOINT STATEMENT: INTERNATIONAL BURMA 
SUPPORT GROUPS  CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 1997

Yvette Mahon Burma Action Group Collins Studios Collins Yard
Islington Green London N1 2XU
Tel: 44 171 359 7679 Fax: 44 171 354 3987 

Karen refugees fleeing fighting in the Minthamee area, Tenasserim
Division in Burma, are not being guaranteed refuge on Thai soil.
Acting upon orders by the Commander of the 9th division of the
Thai army, Karen civilians fleeing conflict and human rights
abuses committed by the SLORC ( State Law and Order Restoration
Council ) in the Karen National Union's 4th Brigade area, have
been forcibly repatriated back into Burma.

Upon arrival on Thai soil, male refugees, most of whom are not
soldiers and some of whom are under the age of ten, have been
immediately repatriated into the conflict area. Women and children
have been allowed into Thailand but have since been rounded up by
Thai authorities and are  being sent back to Burma through a "safe
corridor". Many dispute the security of this "safe corridor".
Refugees are clearly being repatriated into an active war
situation in order to prevent a 'refugee situation' in this area
of the Thai -Burma border.

With SLORC's continued offensive and the recent fall of the KNU's
4th Brigade stronghold, thousands of civilians will continue to
seek refuge in Thailand. Yet it is now unknown whether they will
be allowed to cross the border, considering this latest action by
the Thai authorities.  Karen civilians who are prevented from
seeking refuge in Thailand or who are forcibly returned to Burma
are at considerable risk of being taken as porters and human mine
sweepers by SLORC troops. There are numerous incidents of rape and
ill-treatment of women. Villagers are  arbitrarily executed if
they are thought to be linked with the KNU.

We an international coalition of groups and organisations working
for democracy and human rights in Burma, deplore the forced
repatriation of Karen civilians by the Thai authorities which is
in direct violation of international law.

We call on the United Nations and our respective governments to
immediately communicate to the Thai government, their insistence
that all refugees be protected, including male civilians, and that
no Karen civilians be forcibly repatriated into Burma.

We call upon the Clinton Administration, the Canadian government
and the European Union to impose economic sanctions on Burma as a
matter of urgency. We also call upon the European Union to
withdraw immediately, without further procrastination,
preferential market access for Burmese industrial and agricultural
goods into the European market. The Canadian government should
further consider the immediate suspension of  Burmese garment
imports into the country.

We urge all those concerned for the welfare of the refugees to
hold demonstrations in front of Thai embassies and consulates,
calling for the Thai government to protect the refugees.

Signed by:

Canadian Friends of Burma 
Burma Action Group UK 
Burma Action Ireland 
Association Suisse-Birmanie 
Society for Threatened Peoples, 
Germany Fractures/Reseaujeunes Solidaires, France 
Burma Centrum Netherlands 
Norwegian Burma Council 
Anti-Slavery International 
Karen Youth Organisation-Canada 
Seattle Campaign for a Free Burma 
L.A Campaign for a Free Burma 
Burma Forum, USA 
Bay Area Burma Roundtable, USA 
Burma UN Service Office, USA 
Asia Pacific Centre for Justice and Peace 
Burmese Relief Center-Japan
Buddhist Peace Fellowship, USA 
Free Burma Coalition, USA

* Burma Office, Sydney and the Australia Burma Council have also endorsed 
this statement, but it went out before their names had been added.

 *************************************************

ABC/BURMA OFFICE: PROTEST RALLY ON MARCH 2, 1997
February 27, 1997

The ABC/Burma Office will hold a rally outside SLORC Embassy on Sunday 2nd
March 1997.  It will then move on to the SLORC Embassy.  Protesters will
deliver letters at both places demanding that the Thais stop repatriation
and the SLORC stop the civil war.

The Minister Foreign Affairs has been asked to raise the issue with Thai
Foreign Minister in a meeting this morning and all Members and Senators of
Australian Parliament have been asked to condemn both Thais and SLORC.

There will be a motion in parliament/Senate today (27th Feb).  All
Australian based NGOs have been contacted and asked to react as have
Australian unions and prominent supporters of the movement.

Media releases are going out at this time from the Burma Office and the ABC
will issue further releases leading up to the rally.

******************************************************

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: FEAR FOR SAFETY/FEAR OF REFOULEMENT
February 26, 1997
(Note: abridged: background info same as presented in reports above)
 
EXTRA 26/97    Fear for safety / Fear of refoulement
26 February 1997
 
MYANMAR / THAILAND       Thousands of refugees from Myanmar 
  
Amnesty International is gravely concerned for the safety of
thousands of refugees fleeing a Burmese army offensive against
the insurgent Karen National Union (KNU).  Ethnic Karen from
villages in the area of the offensive who may not be allowed
to seek refuge in neighbouring Thailand or are returned to
Myanmar are at risk of ill-treatment, being taken as porters,
or possible unlawful killing by the Burmese army.
 
(section cut) 

On 25 February about 230 men at Ban Bong Tee were sent back
over the border into the area they had fled. The remaining
around 600 women and children were put onto trucks and taken
to Amphur Suan Pung, located further south in Ratchaburi
Province, opposite the "safe corridor" area, from where it is
believed they may be forcibly repatriated to Paw Ma Pwu
village. Thousands of Karen refugees currently remain at Ban
Pu Nam Rawn, and it is feared that the men will also be
repatriated into an insecure area and the women and children
sent to Amphur Suan Pung for repatriation to Paw Ma Pwu
village. Hundreds of Karen refugees in two camps in
Sangklaburi province, north of Kanchanaburi have also
reportedly been told by local Thai authorities to either
return to Myanmar or agree to be taken to Amphur Suan Pung,
presumably prior to repatriation to the "safe corridor".  Over
the last eight years, Amnesty International has well-
documented evidence of a pattern of forced portering, torture,
ill-treatment and unlawful killings of unarmed civilians
during counter-insurgency operations by the Burmese army
against ethnic minority opposition groups, including the KNU.  
 
        
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail
letters in English or your own language: 
 
1.  APPEALS TO THAI AUTHORITIES:
 
- noting that the Royal Thai Government is bound by the
internationally-recognized principle of non-refoulement, which
prohibits states from returning refugees against their will to
countries where they risk serious human rights violations;
 
- expressing concern at reports that the so-called "safe corridor" cannot 
be considered safe given the movements of the Burmese army;  
 
- urging the Thai authorities to halt the forcible return of
Karen refugees and to grant them All necessary protection;
 
- noting that the Thai authorities have already provided
safety and protection to tens of thousands of Burmese refugees
fleeing conflict and human rights violations.
 
1.  General Chaowalit Yongchaiyut, Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Government House, Nakhorn Pathom Road, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Telegrams: Prime Minister, Bangkok, Thailand
Faxes: + 66 2 280 1443; 282 5131; 281 2536
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
 
2.  Sanoh Thienthong. Minister of Interior
Ministry of Interior, Asdang Road Bangkok, Thailand
Telegrams: Interior Minister, Bangkok, Thailand
Faxes: + 66 2 223 8851
Salutation: Dear Minister
 
 
2.  APPEALS TO MYANMAR AUTHORITIES:
- urging the Myanmar authorities to take immediate steps to
ensure that the Burmese army does not engage in deliberate and
unlawful killings, torture, ill-treatment, or arbitrary arrests of any 
civilians, including members of ethnic minorities.  
 
1. General Than Shwe
Chairman, State Law and Order Restoration Council
Ministry of Defence, Signal Pagoda Road, Yangon, Union of Myanmar
Telegrams: General Than Shwe, Yangon, Myanmar
Telexes: 21316
Salutation: Dear General
 
2. Lt General Maung Aye
Vice Chairman, State Law and Order Restoration Council
Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Ministry of Defence
Signal Pagoda Road, Yangon, Union of Myanmar
Telegrams: General Maung Aye, Yangon, Myanmar
Telexes: 21316
Salutation: Dear General
 
COPIES TO:  diplomatic representatives of Myanmar/Thailand
accredited to your country.
 
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY

*******************

FBC (SEATTLE): SAMPLE LETTER TO THE THAI PRIME MINISTER
February 27, 1997

General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Prime Minister of Thailand
	fax:  (66) 2- 282-8631

Dear General Chavalit,

A crisis now exists along the Thai/Burmese border, and I would like to
strongly urge the Thai government to continue its policy of:  1) accepting
displaced persons from Burma and 2) allowing humanitarian assistance to flow
to those seeking refuge in Thailand.  The Burmese military regime, the State
Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) is persecuting thousands of ethnic
Karen, Karenni, Mon, and Shan.  SLORC's military offensives (in Karen and
Karenni States and the Tenasserim Division), mass forced relocations (in
Shan and Karenni States and theTenasserim Division), forced portering (in
all regions) and forced labor (in all regions) have made it impossible for
civilians to continue to live in Burma and pushed them to seek safety and
shelter in Thailand.

The Thai government has a long record of supporting refugees, displaced
persons and humanitarian efforts.   Recent events have placed greater burens
on Thailand along its border with Burma than ever before. SLORC's policies
have resulted in record numbers fleeing to Thailand, and SLORC, through its
support for the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), has now even attacked
refugees on Thai soil; such actions violate not only Thai sovereignty, but
numerous international norms against attacks on civilians and refugees.
It has also come to my attention that the Thai Army has established a
policy of repatriating refugees crossing into Kanchanaburi Province.  Men
have already been pushed back across the border and women and children, now
separated from their husbands and fathers, are being repatriated farther
south.  Given SLORC's current offensive against the KNU and their actions
toward any people even remotely suspected of any form of association with
the KNU, the safety of these civilians is in grave danger.  In light of
these events, I would like to encourage the Thai government:

1. to continue to allow all those seeking refuge and asylum to cross into
Thailand from Burma; 

2. to quickly implement its stated policy to relocate refugee camps further
inside Thailand to more secure areas, so the camps will be safe from
cross-border attacks by SLORC and its supporters; and

3. to continue to allow humanitarian aid to flow uninterrupted to these
refugees and displaced persons.

Recent accounts of some Thai authorities denying access to Thailand or for
people fleeing Burma are worrisome.  These accounts raise considerable
concern in the world community about the health and safety of those who are
attempting to flee to Thailand to escape political persecution and other
human rights abuses.  I hope that the reports of denied access to Thailand
are isolated incidences, and I encourage the Thai government to continue its
past policy of supporting those in need of humanitarian assistance and
shelter from persecution.

Sincerely,

*******************************************************