@@@As the old year 1996 is coming to an end and the new year 1997 is
begining, we the KRC, would like to extend the Warmest Greetings of the
Season to all concerned, far and near. The year 1996 can be characterized
as a year of unrealized hope with regard to peace, because the attempts,
initiated at the begining of the year, to resolve differences by peaceful
means, still bore no fruit, when the year came to a close. We are not in
a position to pass judgment as to who was in the wrong, but we wish all
sides, involved in the peace process, sucess and would like to urge them
to have patience and foresight, for the good of all the peoples in our
troubled land. We, on our part, will continue to maintain an earnest hope
for an early return, in the New Year, to our healths and homes, in peace
and with dignity.
@@@There was an increase in the number of refugees by 660, in this
month. As usual, the new arrivals were fleeing from human rights abuses
and the dagers to their very lives and limbs. As exppppected, the DKBA,
renewed its threat to attack Wangkha,DongPaKiang and Maela camps, if the
refugees refused to return to the other side of the border, without
heeding the appael of the refugees for reason and mercy. However, it
extended the last date for return by a month, to the end of January.
@@@Much contrary to our wishes, we have to say that human rights
violations such as forced labor, arbitrary arrest, torture, extortion of
money and etc. are still widespread in rural areas. It is clear that
even in towns and cities, for the ordinary citizens, there is still no
security, freedom from fear and arbitrary treatment by those in power.
Whatever the situation may be at the present, surely there must be a
day in our land when peace, justice, freedom, tolerance, harmony and
prosperity will be the rule rather than the exception.
@@@Once again, we,the Karen Refugee Committee, would like to express
our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Thai authorities concerned,
for their understanding and kind permission to the Karen refugees to take
refugein the border areas of Thailand, for taking necessary measures to
provide security and for allowing the aid agencies and organizations to
provide essential assistance to the refugees.
@@@We earnestly hope that authorities, agencies, organizations and
concerned individuals would continue to provide help and assistance to
the refugees so long as there is no peace, stability and security for
them in their own home-land.
@@@mnudladqDPXXU
@@@With the advent of the dry season, our concern for the security of
some refugee camps near the Moei-river, under the threat of the so-called
Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army(DKBA), has been heightenedinevitably. Most
of these camps are in the border area of Tak Province. The Thai authorities
concerned have been doing their best, withn the limited means available,
to improve the security situation.
@@@Roportedly, the power that be on the other side of the border has
very little or no control over these lawless and fanatic elements.
@@@So far as we know, act of terrorism violence and human rights
violations against the rural folks in the Karen areas have not lessened.
Our other concern is the possibility of increased military activities in
the dry season. If this happens, our estimate is that not less than
20,000 can cross the border into Thailand for refuge.
@@@Before closing, we, the Karen Refugee Committee, would like to
express our heart-felt appreciation and gratitude to the Thai authorities
concerned for their kind permission to the Karen refugees to take refffugee
in the border areasof Thailand, for taking measures to provide secirity, as
necessary, and for allowing the aid agencies and organizations to provide
assistance to the refugees.
@@@We are also much grateful to the international agencies and
organizations that have been providing help and assistance to the refugee,
year after year, without a hint of complaint or demoralization.
@@@We earnesty hope that the aythorities, agencies, organizations and
individuals would continue to provide help and assistance to the refugees
untill they can return to safety and peace on the other side of the border.
jqb|mdvr(NOV,DEC/1996)D
@
