Thailand wants UNHCR to mediate ret

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Subject: Thailand wants UNHCR to mediate return of Myanmar refugees 

Thailand wants UNHCR to mediate return of Myanmar refugees 


AFP, Bangkok, 27 November 1999. Thailand has asked the United 
Nations refugee agency to negotiate with Myanmar's military rulers on
the return of 100,000 refugees now living in camps in Thailand, 
reports said Saturday. 

"I have asked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 
(UNHCR) to come up with decisive resolutions," said National 
Security Council (NSC) chief Kachadpai Burusphat. 

Kachadpai said he hoped the UNHCR and other international 
organisations would push for the return of the Myanmar refugees, 
who had fled fighting and human rights abuse often targeted against ethnic
minorities, the Bangkok Post reported. 

"The UNHCR must consult international communities to find out how 
to play a greater role in Burma and give Burma assistance to ensure 
the safety of refugees who return home," Kachadpai said. 

Bangkok has been pushing for exiled Myanmar students based in 
Thailand to be resettled in third countries, after five gunmen 
claiming to be pro-democracy students seized Myanmar's embassy here
on October 1. 

The dissidents held 38 people hostage for more than 24 hours before 
Thai authorities supplied them with an escape helicopter in exchange 
for the release of their captives.  


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