Report from the Salween

[NBH03114@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

ERRORS-TO:strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
FROM:NBH03114@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Burmese Relief Center--Japan
DATE:February 12, 1995
TIME: 7:31PMJST
SUBJ:A Report from the Salween

Received by BRC-J Sunday afternoon, Feb. 12, 1995
An eye-witness report from the Salween

As you know from my previous letter, I spent time at the front
line last week and left with a growing respect for the student
army who seemed to be facing extreme odds against them.  After
my return, I started hearing rumours  and stories from all sorts of
sources regarding Dawn Gwin, the students, SLORC, and the
DKBO.  There was very little confirmed information coming
from the students as all lines of communication had been cut.  I
started to worry and decided to go and see for myself and to come
back with clear and concise information.  I had no idea at the
time just how bad the situation had become in terms of access
and safety.

I will explain what SLORC and the DKBO are doing in terms of
the river and its banks rather than behind the mountain ranges. 
You have travelled along the Salween, so you will understand
what I am trying to say. 

The SLORC now have control of the Salween River from
Manerpalw to Bon Ya Hta and further north towards Weggie. 
Their objective is to control the whole of the Salween, which they
are going to do.  Mae Sam Lap is now under the control of
SLORC and the DKBO rather than the Democratic forces.  At
the beginning of last week as SLORC and the DKBO made their
way north from Manerplaw towards Dawn Gwin, their main
objective was first to take control of Mae Sam Lap.  Having done
this, they are now assured of supplies and the trade that occurs
there.  Unfortunately for the local people living in Mae Sam Lap,
the last thing they want is to continue business with SLORC and
the DKBO.  They are also very frightened of these people.  The
day that SLORC made their way to Mae Sam Lap, the students
sent a boat to Mae Sam Lap to get some supplies for Yaung Ni
Oo.  They did not know that the enemy had already reached the
banks opposite Mae Sam Lap. (The soldiers have occupied  the
Karen checkpoint between Mae Sam Lap and Dawn Gwin.) 
After the boat arrived, the students realized the situation and
made their way very quickly up the hill towards the student shop. 
On the way it became very clear that travelling along the river
either by boat or on foot was very dangerous.  By the time I left
yesterday, the only boats on the river were SLORC boats, but
even they were further south rather than in this area.  It also
means that all lines of communication, travel, supplies, and
access are either cut or extremely limited.

There are some parts of the journey where we had to travel right
along the side of the river, hugging the rocks as we went.  You
have to travel one by one at these points, and even then, you run
for it.  They shoot at people anyway, and you have to hope that
they are just shooting to create fear rather than at you.

I reached Yaung Ni Oo at dusk.  Khin Maung Win was
travelling with me together with one other student.  As we
climbed up the hill to take the path into the village, a land mine
went off at Camp 209 which is on the Burma side of the river
opposite Yaung Ni Oo. SLORC were on their way.

All the families at the village have been moved deeper into
Thailand along the Yaung Ni Oo valley out of firing range. 
They are living with two bamboo poles and a blanket for a roof. 
Plastic mats serve as their floors.  Belongings are in plastic bags,
and everybody is getting ready for the next move even deeper
into Thailand about 3 hours away.  They will move step by step. 
They have found a new place to settle which will be about one
hour trek from the road that runs from Mae Sariang to Mae Ka
Hta.  Supplies, however, still have to be carried down the
mountain for about an hour.  The Thai authorities in this area are
very sympathetic and have given the student families permission
to move deeper into Thailand.  Chuan Leekpai visited Mae Ka
Hta and Mae Sam Lap last week and has told the Thai border
patrol and the Thai army to help those that flee from the Burma
side and into Thailand.  The relationship with the local Thai
commander there is good. Thank goodness.

In the meantime, the Thai authorities have also given permission
for refugees in Bon Ya Hta and other new refugee camps north
of Daw Gwin the OK to move inside deeper. They realize that
SLORC will fire into Thailand and cross the river to steal
supplies.  However, I am going up there again next week to
check this out and to make sure the student families have been
able to move and are settled safely.

The next morning I set off quite early to go and film the SLORC
who were on the other side of the river at a place called U Tu Hta
which is 1 km south of Dawn Gwin.  I could not travel along the
river, so I spent four and a half hours travelling through the
jungle.  It was really difficult, but by hanging from trees, sliding
down crevices, holding onto the roots of the bamboo for stability,
we finally made it to place on the Thai side opposite U Tu Hta. 
The SLORC were using a helicopter to bring in troops and
supplies, they were also using a boat.  Along the mountain range
facing into Kawthoolei, towards Papun, they have set up their
artillery.  I spent about an hour getting briefed as to the situation
and what all this means.

SLORC is clearly about to make a final push north.  They are
using U Tu Hta right now as a place from which to launch their
attacks.  About 1200 soldiers (3 batallions) are making their way
behind the mountains at U Tu Hta towards Dawn Gwin.  Its only
a matter of days before they reach there and can keep going
north.  SLORC will secure their control of the Salween, the Thais
and SLORC can talk about building their dams, and we will
continue to fight the military dictatorship.

The KNU and ABSDF will be formed into smaller guerilla units
and start being active inside Burma.  There will not be a big HQ
either on the Burma side (obviously), nor will operations be run
from Thailand.  Communications will be absolutely key here for
any of us to be able to function politically and effectively. 
Funding is needed for political work and campaigns with a strong
focus on issues that we can win and that we can use to reach the
world community.  More important than anything else, however,
is funding to support the movement inside Burma.