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AP_23.2.97: SLORC OFFENSIVE CAUSED
Subject: AP_23.2.97: SLORC OFFENSIVE CAUSED 41 KAREN LIVES
ASIA: TROOPS KILL 47 KAREN REBELS
BURMA KAREN (CARRIED EARLIER)
RANGOON, Feb 23 AP - Breaking a silence on its military
operations along the Thai-Burmese border, the government announced
today its troops had killed 41 ethnic Karen rebels in a continuing
offensive which began on February 11.
State radio said government forces had clashed 53 times with the
Karen National Union in three areas of south-eastern Burma since
the push began against the country's last major insurgency.
"Mopping up operations" were continuing and more Karen fighters
were expected to surrender to the government side, the broadcast
said.
The offensive has displaced thousands of Karen civilians and led
to artillery exchanges between Thai and Burmese troops along the
frontier. The report made no mention of the escalation of tensions
with Thailand.
State radio said the offensive was launched after leaders of the
Karen National Union unilaterally broke off peace talks with
Rangoon.
The rebels, who have been fighting since 1947, demand autonomy
from the central government and have refused any compromise that
excludes Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's Nobel Peace prize laureate and
pro-democracy leader.
The broadcast claimed that 41 rebel bodies had been counted and
293 weapons along with 270,000 rounds of ammunition were seized.
Another 243 weapons and 70,000 rounds of ammunition were brought in
by 511 officers and soldiers who surrendered following
disagreements with the "extremist leadership" of the rebel
movement, the broadcast said.
"More KNU members who want peace and wish to exchange weapons
for peace are expected to come in," it said.
An estimated 20,000 people have crossed into Thailand or were
attempting to since the fighting erupted, joining some 90,000
already there.
The proximity of the fighting to Thailand has led to exchanges
of fire between the Burmese troops and Thais, who in the past have
used the various ethnic armies along the border as a buffer against
Burma.
Mahn Shar, KNU vice secretary-general, said last Friday that
about 100 government troops had been killed or wounded in the
fighting. He did not estimate Karen casualties, but said the KNU
was waging hit-and-run attacks to minimise casualties.
The KNU says the offensive began on February 8 and was led by
Thura Sit Maung, whom it described as "notorious for human rights
abuse perpetrated against the civilian population in southern
Burma".
International human rights agencies have in recent years
compiled detailed documentation of human rights abuses by the
Burmese military in areas held or influenced by ethnic minority
rebels. These include summary executions, torture and rape of
civilians, forced evacuations of villages and use of civilians as
frontline porters.
Rangoon routinely denies charges of human rights abuse.
AP cmw