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The Nation - UNHCR ready to help



Reply-To: "TIN KYI" <tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

The Nation - Oct 28, 1999.
Headlines
UNHCR ready to help

THE United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) yesterday reassured
Thailand it will help expedite the relocation of Burmese students to third
countries willing to take them, Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said.

Surin, who met UNHCR representative Jahans Assadi yesterday, said the UN
agency had consulted a number of countries which expressed willingness to
grant asylum to exiled students at the Maneeloy holding centre in Ratchaburi
province.

''Sixteen countries have been responsive and have expressed readiness to
accept them,'' foreign ministry spokesman Don Pramudwinai said.

Surin, who leaves tonight for Geneva, said he would seek the help of Sorren
Jessen Petersen, the UN's assistant high commissioner for refugees, in
solving the student problem.

''It will give us the opportunity to put everything in order in this regard
and coordinate with the Interior Ministry, the National Security Council and
all agencies so there is clear regulation to prevent future problems,'' he
said.

Surin quoted Assadi as saying the UNHCR would do everything possible to
prevent future problems, saying certain troublemakers may have taken
advantage of Thai hospitality and generosity.

About 100 Burmese students and Mon exiles at the Maneeloy centre were
involved in a clash last Sunday as they celebrated the end of the Buddhist
Lent.

In an incident last week a group of exiled students refused to let five
UNHCR officials leave the camp demanding an explanation why they had not
been paid their monthly stipends.

Surin also asked the UNHCR to temporarily lift the immunity on the UNHCR
officials involved in the incident so that they can be questioned by police
about the incident.

The Nation