1,800 Karen refugees to return to B

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

February 15, 1998


                                    



                         THAI-BURMESE BORDER

              1,800 Karen
              refugees to return
              to Burma

              Move seen as bid to bar illegal logging

              Chewin Sattha 
              Mae Hong Son

              Over 1,800 Karen refugees at Ban Sop Ngae in Tambon Sao
              Hin of Mae Sariang district have agreed to move back into
              Burma by March 1, according to Col Sanchai Charuwan,
              commander of the 7th Infantry Regiment Task Force.

              These refugees are part of the 12,000 Karen refugees to be
              relocated from various villages in the Salween National Park to a
              holding centre at Ban Mae Lama Luang in Sop Moei district as a
              measure to prevent illegal log cutting.

              Col Sanchai said the refugees at Ban Sop Ngae agreed to move
              back into Burma in 15 days. The Thai military will send a letter
              to the Burmese government to ensure safety for those who return
              voluntarily, he added.

              The refugees in other villages will be asked to do the same, he
              said.

              The officer maintained that all the refugees who do not agree to
              voluntary repatriation must move to the holding centre at Ban
              Mae Lama Luang. If they insist in not moving, foreign aid
              organisations will be asked to cut food supplies to them.

              United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
              officials observing the relocation agreed to the plan, reasoning
              that Ban Mae Lala Luang where aid agencies can fully give the
              refugees assistance. Moreover, it is where the military can
              provide protection.

              Army chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro earlier said although the
              Karen refugees refused to cooperate, their relocation must be
              carried out as planned as it is a way to prevent illegal logging in
              Salween National Park.

              Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai flew over Salween
              National Park to observe the damage from illegal activity.

              The prime minister was accompanied on the trip by Interior
              Minister Sanan Kachornprasart and Gen Chettha.

              During a briefing by forestry officials, a senior police sergeant
              presented him with a list of 15 local officials' who were alleged to
              be involved in bribe-taking to turn a blind eye to the illegal
              activity at the park.

              The policeman, Senior Sergeant Thaweesak Kantha, attached to
              Mae Sariang police station, has been suspended from active duty
              for the past six months for alleged involvement in illegal logging at
              the park.

              He claimed he had been unfairly punished for the crime he had
              not committed and said the 15 officials on his list should instead
              be questioned for the illegal logging business.

              Mr Chuan assured that he would ensure justice for all involved in
              the problem and the issue should be soon cleared up since the
              Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has already appointed a
              committee to probe into the illegal activity.




                                    




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