NEWS - Thai Troops on Alert along M

[Rangoonp@xxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS - Thai Troops on Alert along Myanmar Border

Thai Troops on Alert along Myanmar Border

            AP
            16-DEC-98

            BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Thai army units along the
            border with Myanmar have been on alert since last week in
            anticipation of renewed fighting between ethnic rebels and
            Myanmar's military government, Thailand's army commander
            in chief said today. 

            "We haven't increased the number of troops, but the troops
            are on alert and we have rapid reaction forces ready," Gen.
            Surayud Chulanont told The Associated Press. 

            Hostilities in Myanmar have repeatedly spilled onto Thai
soil,
            with both Myanmar soldiers and the ethnic guerrillas allied
            with them crossing the border to burn refugee camps
            throughout 1997. 

            More than 100,000 mostly Karen refugees are living in
            camps inside Thailand, having fled what they charge is an
            ethnic cleansing campaign conducted by Myanmar's military.

            The Karen have been fighting for autonomy from the
            government in Yangon since 1949. In recent years the
            Myanmar army has dislodged them from most of their bases
            inside the country. 

            With the 50th anniversary of their rebellion coming up in
            January, some rebel leaders expect the army will launch
            another offensive aimed at wiping them out. 

            Surayud said that he was seeking permission from the
            Interior Ministry to move the refugees farther inside
Thailand
            to make it more difficult for invading forces to reach them. 

            The Thai army, under Surayud's predecessor, Gen. Chetta
            Thanajaro, was criticized by international human rights
            groups and Western governments last year for failing to
            protect the refugees.