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Myanmar peace hinges on powerful interests

April 15, 2013 22:30
Myanmar must negotiate a web of vested interests if it is to end conflict with rebels in its far north and bring a halt to civil wars that have wracked the country for decades, experts say. Bloody unrest in Kachin State has displaced tens of thousands, killed an unknown number of fighters and civilians and undermined government reforms. Recent ceasefire talks have included senior military and rebel figures, raising hopes that Myanmar's quasi-civilian regime could succeed in its quest to declare a countrywide peace.

Decision to postpone peace-talks ‘mutual’: KIO

April 11, 2013 04:18
The decision to delay the next round of peace-talks between the Burmese government and the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) was “mutual” and based on a lack of adequate time to prepare, a rebel spokesperson told DVB on Tuesday.It follows reports that the Chinese authorities were responsible for delaying the meeting - initially scheduled to take place before 10 April - by objecting to the presence of international observers.“No one is to be blamed, it is because we are all unprepared,” said Dr La Ja, General-Secretary of the KIO.

Thailand ends search after refugee camp blaze

March 24, 2013 06:30
Rescue workers on Sunday ended the search for victims of a blaze that tore through a Myanmar refugee camp in northern Thailand as destitute survivors scavenged for bamboo to build shelters. Thirty-six people -- including 10 children -- died in Friday's fire which destroyed Mae Surin camp in Mae Hong Son province, provincial governor Narumol Paravat told AFP by telephone. "The search operation has finished today. Rescue teams found 36 dead, among them were 10 children," she said, adding 13 of the bodies were yet to be identified.

Fire in Thai refugee camp kills 36

March 24, 2013 06:00
BANGKOK (Reuters) - A fire swept through a remote camp in northwestern Thailand for refugees from Myanmar, killing 36 and destroying hundreds of make-shift shelters, officials said on Sunday. The fire, which broke out on Friday in Mae Hong Son province, about 900 km (550 miles) north of Bangkok, has left more than 2,000 people homeless, provincial governor Narumol Palavat told Reuters.

Rescuers reach Thai refugee camp after deadly blaze

March 23, 2013 10:15
Thai rescue workers picked through the ashes of hundreds of shelters for Myanmar refugees Saturday after a ferocious blaze swept through a camp in northern Thailand killing 35 people. Around 100 people were injured in Friday's fire at the Mae Surin camp in Mae Hong Son province, provincial governor Narumol Paravat told AFP by telephone, giving a reduced toll from the 45 dead previously stated. "The final death toll is 35. There was confusion in the body count," she said.

Rescuers reach Thai refugee camp after deadly blaze

March 23, 2013 07:31
Thai rescue workers picked through the ashes of hundreds of shelters for Myanmar refugees Saturday after a ferocious blaze swept through a camp in northern Thailand killing 35 people. Around 100 people were injured in Friday's fire at the Mae Surin camp in Mae Hong Son province, provincial governor Narumol Paravat told AFP by telephone, giving a reduced toll from the 45 dead previously stated. "The final death toll is 35. There was confusion in the body count," she said.

45 dead in refugee camp fire: Thai official

March 23, 2013 04:15
The toll from a blaze that swept through a camp in northern Thailand has risen to 45, authorities said Saturday, after hundreds of shelters for refugees from Myanmar were reduced to ashes. Over 100 people were injured in Friday's fire, which destroyed about 400 homes at the Mae Surin camp in Mae Hong Son province, Thailand's Interior Ministry said as it updated the death toll. Rescue workers were searching for bodies in the wreckage of the shelters at the remote mountainous camp area, according to a spokesman from the provincial authorities.

42 die in fire at refugee camp in Thailand: official

March 23, 2013 00:15
The toll from a blaze that swept through a camp in northern Thailand has risen to 42, a Thai official said Saturday, after hundreds of temporary homes for refugees from Myanmar were reduced to ashes. Dozens of people were injured in the fire, which broke out on Friday at the Mae Surin camp in Mae Hong Son province, with women, children and the elderly believed to make up the majority of the victims. Rescue workers were on the scene at the remote mountainous camp area, Mae Hong Son provincial governor Narumol Paravat told AFP by telephone.

Fire kills 30 at refugee camp in Thailand: officials

March 22, 2013 11:47
Thirty people were killed and about 200 were injured Friday when a fire broke out in a camp in northern Thailand housing refugees from neighbouring Myanmar, Thai officials said. Many of the victims were believed to be women, children and the elderly. "The fire destroyed 100 makeshift houses. There are 30 people dead and many injured," said an interior ministry official. The blaze broke out at about 4:00 pm (0900 GMT) at the Mae Surin camp in Mae Hong Son province and was extinguished about two hours later, she said.

Fire kills 30 at refugee camp in Thailand: officials

March 22, 2013 11:16
Thirty people were killed and many wounded Friday when a fire broke out in a camp in northern Thailand housing refugees from neighbouring Myanmar, Thai officials said. "The fire destroyed 100 makeshift houses. There are 30 people dead and many injured," said an interior ministry official. The blaze broke out at about 4:00 pm (0900 GMT) at the Mae Surin camp in Mae Hong Son province and was extinguished about two hours later, she said. It is believed to have been caused by people cooking.
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