BKK Post, March 19.BURMA

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Bo Mya wants UN to step in and look after refugees

They live in fear after recent attacks



Mawker Camp, Burma, Reuters

    The leader of Burma's ethnic Karen rebels yesterday urged the United Nations to help nearly 100,000 refugees living in fear following recent attacks on camps by pro-Rangoon guerrillas.
    Bo Mya, 71, president of the Karen National Union, asked for the UN to step in after Burma-backed fighters recently raided several camps, killing at least four refugees and leaving thousands homeless.
    "I would like to urge the UN to come in and closely look after the Karen refugees, so when Burmese troops attack the camps then the UN can take action against the Burmese military junta," he said.
    A group of about 50 guerrillas from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army opened fire on refugees and burned down more than 1,000 shanty houses in a raid earlier this month.

    The DKBA attacked another camp last weekend, prompting Thai army retaliation which killed at least seven DKBA members, army sources said.
    The refugees have since been living in a state of fear because the DKBA has threatened retaliation.
    "Burmese troops have ordered the DKBA to attack and burn all refugees camps inside Thailand, that's why we urge the UN to come in urgently, said Gen Bo Mya.

    A UN official in Bangkok said the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees cannot establish a presence at camps at the request of a rebel leader - it needs authorisation or a request from the Thai government.
    Although the UNHCR regularly visits the camps, it must request authorisation each time from Thai authorities, he said.
    Gen Bo Mya also asked for more Thai army security to help protect the refugees.
Some 400 Thai officials, including soldiers, paratroopers and Border Patrol Police, were deployed in the area to deter intruders and protect the refugees, a Thai army source said.