SLORC blames Karen for Myawaddy roc

[ausgeo@xxxxxxx]

Subject: SLORC blames Karen for Myawaddy rocket attack 

June 25, 1997

BANGKOK POST

BURMA

Rangoon blames Karen for Myawaddy rocket attack 

Tak

Rockets were fired into Myawaddy yesterday, causing a fire but no injuries.

Four 107mm rockets were fired from an area north of the Burmese town at 1.30 
a.m., three of which landed on a market opposite Tambon Tha Sai Luad, Mae Sot, 
and one on a plantation in Ban Tha Aj, Tak.

Burmese soldiers in Myawaddy fired two mortar rounds at the attackers and 
closed peripheral routes while villagers fled to bunkers.

In Tak, Pol Maj Noppadol Chatiwong, commander of Border Patrol Police Unit 
346, led troops to Ban Tha Aj while soldiers from the 4th Infantry Regiment 
Task Force were posted along the Moei River.

A source said Burmese authorities blamed the Karen National Union for the 
attack, a claim that was denied. Karen officers linked the attack to a 
conflict of interest among officials.

The incident took place shortly before a meeting of senior Thai and Burmese 
officials on the opening of the Friendship Bridge and the 16th Local 
Thai-Burmese Border Committee Meeting to be held today. 

Burmese authorities were reported to have cancelled the border meeting, citing 
security reasons.