US pledges to resettle 2,700 studen

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Subject: US pledges to resettle 2,700 student exiles

THAI-BURMESE RELEATIONS

US pledges to resettle 2,700 student exiles
Dissidents at large will be encouraged to contact UNHCR
BANGKOKPOST 15/10/99

Yuwadee Tunyasiri

 
A little boy relaxes at Ban Tham Hin camp, which houses Karen refugees, near
the Burmese border in Suan Phung district, Ratchaburi. _ TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD 
 The United States has pledged full support for the planned third-country
resettlement of about 2,700 Burmese student exiles now in Thailand, the
National Security Council secretary-general said yesterday.

Kachadpai Burusphat said Washington would raise the matter with Canada,
Australia and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and work to
have a resettlement programme implemented as soon as possible.

The issue was raised during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State
Julia Taft on Tuesday.

He told Mrs Taft that resettlement was in the best interests of the exiled
students, since they would be able to further their education.

"I told her that the Burmese students have no future here. In the future
maybe they could return home and help develop the country," said Mr Kachadpai.

The Burmese students targeted for resettlement were those under the care of
the UNHCR and those living in the Maneeloy holding centre in Ratchaburi, he
said.

An additional 1,000 dissident students who had lost contact with the UNHCR
would also be urged to report to the authorities for resettlement.

Mrs Taft had thanked Thailand for resolving the Burmese embassy crisis
without bloodshed and providing assistance to the asylum seekers, he said.

"I also told her that we could not be sure that it would not happen again,
as long as Burmese students still live here," the NSC secretary-general said.

He had also brought up the security problem caused by ethnic people who fled
fighting in Burma and asked Washington to discuss sending them back with the
UNHCR.

The US had promised to give financial assistance and seek the co-operation
of the UNHCR and other international aid organisations, he said.

Mr Kachadpai also gave an assurance there was no need for concern over
Rangoon's troop deployment along the border, and said Thai units had been
placed on full alert.

"The authorities have a plan and procedures to follow. There is nothing to
worry about," he said.

The estimated 7,000 Karen refugees at Ban Tham Hin would also be encouraged
to return home when the situation was back to normal.

He said the UNHCR must adopt an aggressive approach in dealing with the
refugees as the increasing number posed a security problem for Thailand.

"The UNHCR has to co-operate with the Burmese government in solving the
problem. These people should be sent back home as soon as possible to
alleviate the burden on us and clear up any suspicions Rangoon has that we
are supporting them," he said.