BKK Post, March 11, 1998 SALWEEN S

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March 11, 1998
SALWEEN SCANDAL

Third Army to help move refugees 
Mae Hong Son

The Third Army Region will send troops to Salween National Park to speed 
up the evacuation of thousands of Karen refugees living in the forest.

Over 12,000 Karens fled fighting inside their country and took refuge in 
border villages near the park in Mae Sariang district.

According to a military source, many Karen refugees have long been hired 
by illegal loggers to cut down trees in the Salween forest.

To combat illegal logging in the park and to ensure security along the 
border, Mae Hong Son provincial authorities have sought cooperation from 
concerned agencies to help move refugees from the area.

So far, only 1,044 refugees have been evacuated to a refugee camp in Sop 
Moei district.

Many refugees resisted the transfer operation because they do not want 
to lose money from illegal logging in the national park and they want to 
further support the anti-Rangoon Karen National Union organisation, 
whose stronghold is in Burma opposite the forest.

The protest prompted the provincial authorities to seek cooperation from 
the Third Army to help transfer the protesting refugees.

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