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Myanmar directs blame of migrant crisis on its neighbors

An ethnic Rohingya woman who said she got separated with her brother cries at a temporary shelter in Langsa, Aceh province, Indonesia, Saturday, May 16, 2015. More than 1,000 people fleeing persecution in Myanmar and poverty in Bangladesh landed in several places in Southeast Asia, describing killings, extortion and near-starvation after a harrowing journey at sea. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara) An ethnic Rohingya woman who said she got separated with her brother cries at a temporary shelter in Langsa, Aceh province, Indonesia, Saturday, May 16, 2015. More than 1,000 people fleeing persecution in Myanmar and poverty in Bangladesh landed in several places in Southeast Asia, describing killings, extortion and near-starvation after a harrowing journey at sea. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)

By Associated Press May 16, 2015 1 min read

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – Myanmar has directed the blame of a spiraling migrant crisis on its neighbors, and cast doubts on whether it will attend a meeting to be hosted by Thailand later this month aimed at easing the humanitarian emergency.

Presidential official Maj. Zaw Htay told The Associated Press on Saturday that Myanmar will decide whether to attend the May 29 meeting based on what is up for discussion.

He said his country “will not accept the allegations by some that Myanmar is the source of the problem.”

Boats filled with more than 2,000 desperate and hungry refugees have arrived in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia in recent weeks. Many of those on board are ethnic Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar.

Thousands more are believed to be adrift in boats at sea.