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SLORC Breaches Cease-fire Agreement



T H E     G O V E R N M E N T     O F     K A R E N N I
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**** 	Statement regarding SLORC's military activities  ****
*	 in Karenni following the cease-fire agreement	    *
***********************************************************

After a series of talks, KNPP and SLORC agreed to a cease-fire, and a
ceremony was held in Loikaw on March 21, to mark and solemnize the
cease-fire agreement.

KNPP had made it known that it agreed to the cease-fire because SLORC
had agreed to the 16 points it had put forward.

Among the 16 points agreed upon are -

-	that the present military status quo in both SLORC designated and
	KNPP designated areas be maintained.

-	that there be a stop to portering in the whole of Karenni

-	that there be no more collecting of porter fees in Karenni.

In spite of the agreement, SLORC, on June 15, started collecting porter
fees in SLORC designated areas.  It started rounding up porters, horses
and tractors.

On June 17, two battalions of SLORC troops crossed the Salween River
and moved into KNPP designated areas, one battalion massing at the
confluence of Mae Su Rin stream.

KNPP protested and the answer from SLORC was that national election in
Thailand was about to take place, and that it foresaw troubles along
the border once the election was over.  As a result, it said, it needed
to move troops to the border for the security of the State.

KNPP replied that whatever happened in Thailand would be purely Thai
international affairs and that it saw no reason for troubles along the
border.

SLORC next said that the Thais were stealing logs and timber along the
border, and the troops that it had moved into KNPP designated areas
were to stop them from doing so, and not to attack the Karennis.  It
also said the Thais had arrested two of their men and were refusing to
release them.

On June 26, the battalion that had been stationed at the confluence of
Mae Su Tin stream moved deeper into KNPP designated area, and another
two battalions crossed the Salween River from Ywa Tit and moved into
KNPP designated areas around Mae Su Rin confluence.  It is estimated
that SLORC has moved about 2000 troops into KNPP areas.

The fact that SLORC has been collecting porter fees, rounding up
porters and moving troops into KNPP areas is a clear breach of the
cease-fire agreement reached between SLORC and KNPP.  All the reasons
given for moving SLORC troops into KNPP areas are simply fictitious and
groundless.  As a matter of fact, SLORC has pressured KNPP to vacate
three border passes where it wants to garrison its forces -- BP (9),
BP (11) and  BP (12).  KNPP has refused to bow to SLORC's pressure, and
it is believed SLORC intends to take these posts by force.

KNPP desires peace.  It does not want a resumption of hostilities.  It
deems SLORC hostile activities highly deplorable, and hopes that SLORC
will abide by the agreement reached between the two parties.  On the
other hand, KNPP sees it as a duty to defend itself and its territorial
integrity.

Hence, should SLORC continue breaking the cease-fire agreement, and
should it refuse to withdraw the troops it has moved into KNPP areas,
it will be SLORC, and not KNPP that will have to assume the
responsibility for the outbreak of hostilities.

Karenni is a small nation under siege.  It has been fighting for
survival for decides, and will continue doing so in spite of the heavy
odds against it.  If SLORC should use its military might to attack
Karenni - which KNPP believes it will - KNPP expects and requests all
sympathetic and democratic forces the world over to extend humanitarian
assistance to the Karenni people.