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UPDATE ON KAREN REFUGEE CAMPS #3



1 Febuary 1997  8:30 pm Thailand time

The residents of Bay Klaw have been digging trenches to bury clothing and
material goods.  Despite the tense situation, many people are actively
organizing and preparing ways to save their possessions and protect their
families.  

Some residents of Bay Klaw also organized an effort to gather extra
clothing to send to Huay Kalok and Huay Bone camps which have suffered
extensive damage from the past weeks raids.  It's amazing to hear that
people who fear an imminent attack have taken time to help out their
friends to the south.  We have contact with a cellular phone that has been
stationed in Bay Klaw camp and will try to keep as up-to-date as possible
on the developments there.

Sho Klo camp is north of Bay Klaw camp and had previously been difficult
to attack due to a larger Thai military presence there.  However, Sho Klo
is also one of the most vulnerable because it is located so close to the
boarder.  Residents of Sho Klo report that the Thai military have pulled
away from the camp leaving it exposed to attack by the Slorc troops who
are currently just north of Bay Klaw.  

There are very unconfirmed reports that other camps along the boarder fear
attacks and we are trying to confirm them.  Contacting most of these camps
will take at least one day's travel.  

There are worries that the Burmese military will try to launch offensives
along most of the boarder in an effort to straife as many camps as
possible.  There are questions as to whether or not the troops near Bay
Klaw will wait another night before they attack or not.  

The next update will probably come around 8:30 am Thailand time.

Burma Issues