Chettha firm on refugee policy

[ausgeo@xxxxxxx]

July 4, 1997

BANGKOK POST
MILITARY
Chettha firm on refugee policy
US visitor told none will be forced home
Sermsuk Kasitipradit

Army Commander-in-Chief Chettha Thanajaro has assured American Refugee 
Committee chairman Anthony Kozlowski that no refugees on the Burmese border 
will be forcibly repatriated.
Mr Kozlowski called on the commander at army headquarters to thank him for the 
army's supporting role and assistance given to Karen refugees seeking shelter 
in Thailand after Burma's onslaught against the Karen National Union.
"Mr Kozlowski says he deeply appreciated the country's generosity in providing 
humanitarian aid to refugees from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Burma during the 
past decades," said an army officer.
The officer said Mr Kozlowski had voiced support during the meeting to Gen 
Chettha's proposal to relocate Karen refugee camps 10 kilometres deep inside 
Thailand, agreeing that such a move could help provide safety for the 
refugees.
Gen Chettha said earlier that unless Karen refugees located at the border area 
were moved deep inside Thailand it would be difficult for the army to maintain 
security along the Thai-Burma border.
He briefed Mr Kozlowski on the army's stance in sending Karen refugees back to 
Burma, noting that refugee safety was his prime concern and repatriation would 
be made only after he gave his consent.
"The army commander has explained that Thailand is ready to take back the 
refugees if their life is endangered when they return to Burma," said the 
officer.
Gen Chettha has urged Mr Kozlowski to help correct misunderstanding with other 
non-government organisations which might harbour misconceptions concerning 
Thailand's policy on Karen refugees.
In late February Amnesty International and several non-government 
organisations strongly criticised Thailand over reports that it forcibly 
repatriated Karen refugees seeking shelter in Kanchanaburi. The army had 
totally denied the allegation.
"The army commander is optimistic that the ARC can help correct such a 
misunderstanding, as the government has no forced repatriation policy," said 
the officer.
Mr Kozlowski reportedly urged Gen Chettha to help negotiate with Burma so that 
the ARC can provide humanitarian aid to refugees staying along Burma's border 
area.
"The army commander says he is ready to talk with Burma about the ARC proposal 
if he gets a chance," said the officer.