The International Labour Organization’s representative in Rangoon today denied reports he is being forced to leave Burma after receiving 21 death threats earlier this year. The London-based Sunday Times yesterday reported Richard Horsey had decided to leave the country because of the intimidation campaign.

Horsey today, however, denied he is leaving the country permanently, saying he is simply accompanying his wife to Bangkok as she prepares to give birth to their child. He confirmed that he will return to Rangoon shortly afterwards.

The ILO published a report at the end of last month in which it gave evidence of the threats received by Horsey. It also said the ILO had received confirmation from Burma’s Ministry of Labor that the junta plans to leave the organization, but Prime Minister Gen Soe Win and Foreign Minister Nyan Win have since been quoted denying Burma plans to leave the UN body. The ILO is currently trying to investigate whether the junta will withdraw, a process that would usually take two years.