The Foreign Minister of Australia. Thailand has a good record of sheltering previous waves of Burma bordercrossers. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representative in Thailand. January 1995: Permit me to express to ... the Royal Thai Government the international communitys gratitude for the temporary asylum and assistance that Thailand is providing in the border area with (Burma). until such time as conditions in that country are conducive to the return of the affected population in conditions of safety and dignity. A coalition of human rights groups in Burma and international human rights groups. February 1995: We thank the Royal Thai Government for their magnanimous and benevolent treatment of the thousands of Burmese refugees taking shelter on Thai territory. In direct response to the accusations of Thai Government interference with relief to displaced Burmese. Secretary of State Christopher earlier this year reported to the Congress that: Royal Thai Government treatment of Burmese democracy advocates. exiles. and refugees is generally humane and in accord with international norms. The Royal Thai Government does not. as a matter of policy or practice. impede humanitarian support for noncombatant Burmese in Thailand. Thailand may not do everything for the 200.000 Burmese migrants and refugees that some might like. including allowing the use of Thailand as the launching pad for political attacks on a wellarmed neighbor with whom Bangkok has no choice but to maintain a constructive relationship. While it is easy for to tweek Burmese generals from Washington. the Thais do not have a buffer of 12 time zones. I would also note that Thailand has adhered to the Comprehensive Plan of Action. the U.N.-sponsored plan for handling Vietnamese and other migrants and refugees in the region. In contrast. the 104th Congress has called the CPA into question. triggering riots at migrant camps across Southeast Asia. Yet some think it appropriate for Congress to freeze United States aid and cooperation with Bangkok until it improves its treatment of migrants in Thailand. Throughout Southeast Asia the question of whether America intends to remain engaged Is asked constantly by political. business. and military leaders who must calculate with which big power to cast their lot. Clearly.
Keywords matched
refugees migrant migrants Refugees