The dilemma of refugees: lessons from the Thai experience
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Authors
Rhie, Ann Y.
Subjects
NA
Advisors
Lavoy, Peter
Date of Issue
1994-12
Date
December 1994
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
The specter of refugees is inextricably linked to a state's national security interests. Mass movements of refugees across international borders cannot possibly be absorbed without incurring political. social and economic costs to the receiving state. To contribute to regional stability and international peace. the United States must be Vigilaint to the dangers and tensions inherent in the international problem of refugees. Nowhere have the complications of hosting refugees been demonstrated more clearly than in the case of Thailand in the past two decades. As the United States faces ethical, political, and social dilemmas posed by the threat of refugees to its national security, and examination of Thai refugee policy may be helpful in formulating an American policy on this important issue. This thesis will calJ attention to the extent of the world's refugee problem: how some states have exploited refugees as instruments of their foreign policy: and what action receiving states can take to minimize the destabilizing effects of refugee populations on their borders. Specifically_ I will examine Thailand's refugee crises with Laos. Cambodia. and Vietnam. Thailand's experience with refugees is a microcosm of a universal problem Finally. it will dra'' broad lessons from the Thai experience for the consideration of U.S. policy-makers responsible for refugee issues.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
140 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.