[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

6/4/94:LETTERS TO THAI PM AND FM (R



/* Written 21 Oct 6:00am 1997 by drunoo@xxxxxxxxxxxx in igc:reg.burma */
/* ---------------" 6/4/94 Letter to Thai P.M. "------------- */

Dr U Ne Oo
48/2 Ayliffes Road
St marys SA 5042
Australia.

April 6, 1994.

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai
Government House
No. 1 Phitsanuloke road, Dusit
Bangkok 10300, Thailand

Dear Prime Minister,

RE: Comprehansive Plan of Action for Burmese Refugees in Thailand
--------------------------------------------------------
I am a burmese national presently residing in Australia. I wish
to draw your kindful attention to the plight of displaced
Burmese people in thailand. The total number of displaced
Burmese in Thailand is now close to 450,000. Apart from 2500
students who came from Rangoon, most of the displaced people are
farmers who fled to Thailand after their livelihood were
seriously disrupted by the Myanmar Government's counter
insurgency campaign. Since displaced Burmese people were
considered as illegal immigrants to Thailand, the well-beings and
personal integrity of these people are at stake. I therefore
appeal to you and the Royal Thai Government to make initiatives
to protect those displaced Burmese.

I am aware that the Royal Thai Government have been actively
encouraging the ethnic rebel groups to make ceasefire agreement
with Myanmar Government in order to improve the conditions
within Burma and also to reduce displaced population flow. I
morally support the Royal Thai Government try to solve Burma's
internal conflict and helping to improve the situation in Burma.
However, the internal conflicts in Burma as well as the problems
of displaced Burmese are far too complex and too large for the
Royal Thai Government to solve alone. I therefore urge you and
the Royal Thai Government to solve Burmese refugee problem in
co-operation with United Nations and international community.I
appeal the royal Thai Government to enact a legislation similar
to the 'Comprehensive Plan of Action' for Burmese refugees and
resolve this crisis with the help of UN High Commissioner for
Refugees.

In the light of recent success of UNHCR in reaching agreement
with the Government of Myanmar for the repatriation of Muslim
refugees in Bangladesh and the possible dialogue between Myanmar
Government and Opposition Leader, it is plausible that displaced
Burmese problem could be resolved in a relatively short period
of time. therefore, a legislation that provides enough time for
UNHCR to organize repatriation will be appropriate.

Finally, I wish to express my sincere thanks to you for hosting
the Nobel Peace Laureates' visit to Thailand last year. This
event has helped to raise awareness about Burmese people's
struggle for democracy.

Yours faithfully and sincerely
Sd. U Ne Oo.
1. Ms Sadako Ogata, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Case
Postale 2500, CH-1211 Geneve 2 -Depot, Switzerland.

** Letter to Hon. Prosong Soonsiri, Thai F.M. **

April 6, 1994.

H.E. Prasong Soonsiri
Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Akarn Bangsalasom, 1 Sananchai Road, RAjavithi
Palatuang, TEd Tanakarn
Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Dear Minister,

RE: Comprehensive Plan of Action for Burmese Refugees in Thailand
---------------------------------------------------
As a Burmese national presently residing in Australia, I appeal
the Foreign Minister to arrange the protection for all displaced
Burmese in Thailand. In particular, I call upon the Royal Thai
Government to enact a legislation similar to 'Comprehensive Plan
of Action' for Burmese refugees and to hand over the affairs of
refugees to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

We learn that the Royal Thai Government in recent years have
provided basis food and shelter and also have given protection
to over 1-million refugees from Cambodia and Laos with the
assistance of UNHCR. It is a relieving news to the international
community - thanks to the efforts of UNHCR; these refugees have
been successfully repatriated. This kind of treatment to refugee
is consistent with Thailand's image as a special country on the
world that uphold its principles in serving humanity: protecting
the weak and helpless, sharing resources with poor and
distressed. I have a good faith in you that you will arrange to
get a similar treatment for the Burmese refugees.

Regarding with Burmese refugees, I very much appreciate the Thai
communities in supporting displaced Burmese so far. I am also
aware that the Royal Thai Government have been encouraging the
Government of Myanmar and ethnic rebels to reach ceasefire in
order to improve the situation in Burma. However, Burma's
internal conflicts and underlying ethnic and political issues
are extremely complex so that one cannot solve easily.
Furthermore, the Burmese refugee problem in Thailand has evolved
into major crisis situation which is of beyond Thailand's
capacity. I therefore urge the Royal Thai Government to solve
Burmese refugee problem in co-operation with UNited Nations.

I am in the support of your initiative to invite Burma as a
guest to the forthcoming ASEAN ministerial meeting in July. 
It is a wise move for ASEAN countries to bring Burma under their
consolidations. Although present Myanmar Government being
an illegitimate one, it is in my view that Burma as a country 
need to be in ASEAN and the time is appropriate to prepare for 
the membership.

Yours faithfully and sincerely
Sd. U Ne Oo.

1. Ms Sadako Ogata, UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
Case POstale 2500, CH-1211 Gene 2 Depot , Switzerland.

/* Endreport */