Burma Rebels Wants Junta

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/* Written  3:08 PM  Jul 22, 1994 by wov.central@xxxxxxx in igc:soc.cult.burma */
/* ---------- "Burma Rebels Wants Junta" ---------- */
Subject : Burma Rebels Wants Junta Talks

   BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Burma's largest rebel group has asked
foreign ministers in Southeast Asia to arrange peace talks with the
country's military junta.
   The Burmese foreign minister's unprecedented appearance at a
meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations provides a
"unique opportunity to facilitate the preliminary dialogue that
may bring peace to Burma," Gen. Bo Mya, the leader of the Karen
National Union rebels, said in a statement.
   Bo Mya's statement, sent to news organizations Thursday, is to
be presented to the ASEAN conference, which starts Friday in
Bangkok.
   The Karens and other ethnic minorities have fought for greater
autonomy since Burma achieved independence from Britain in 1948.
   Some groups made peace with the government the past year, making
the Karens and the Mons the last remaining major insurgencies. The
Karens, with several thousand fighters, are based along Thailand's
western border with Burma.
   The Burmese junta seized power after soldiers killed hundreds,
and possibly thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators in 1988, and
is notorious for human rights abuses. It is the first time ASEAN
members have invited Burma to the meeting.
   The rebels want talks on neutral ground outside Burma, with
international mediators present.


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