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BKK POST: Burma denies role in Kar



March 22, 1998


                                      



                         THAI-BURMESE BORDER

              Burma denies role
              in Karen raids on
              camp

              Thais urged to act against DKBA forces

              Wassana Nanuam 

              Burmese military leader Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt has given the
              go-ahead for Thai forces to take action against the Democratic
              Karen Buddhist Army if it persists with attacking refugee camps
              in Thailand, the army chief said yesterday.

              Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro said that
              Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first secretary of the State Peace and
              Development Council, Burma's ruling body, told him this when
              they met in Rangoon on Friday.

              Gen Chettha quoted the Burmese military leader as telling him
              that Burmese soldiers were not involved in DKBA attacks on a
              Karen refugee camp in Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son,
              several weeks ago, and another attack on the Huay Kalok camp
              in Mae Sot last week.

              "He (Khin Nyunt) insisted that Rangoon has nothing to do with
              the attacks and that the Burmese government does not support
              the DKBA. Since he insists, we have to believe him. He is sorry
              about it but said that he can't control the DKBA and the Thai
              army can take any action against them," Gen Chettha said.

              Gen Chettha was in Rangoon to accompany Privy Councillor
              Gen Prem Tinsulanonda to a function to open the Nikko Hotel
              there last Friday. During the function he met and talked to both
              Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Burmese army chief Gen Maung Aye.

              The Thai army chief said that it was difficult to prevent DKBA
              attacks against refugee camps because they were all Karens who
              used to be in the same group, the Karen National Union.

              The KNU is the only major ethnic insurgency yet to sign a
              ceasefire with Rangoon's ruling junta. They still trade with each
              other and trade conflicts might have been responsible for the
              attacks, he said.

              The army chief said KNU rebels also cross the border to burn
              DKBA camps but the Thai military will be searching refugee
              camps for arms to prevent this in the future.

              "However, we can't take violent action in such search because
              we will be criticised by humanitarian groups again. It's a difficult
              position for us to be in," Gen Chettha said.

              The general said Thailand will no longer tolerate DKBA attacks.
              He can directly call up Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt to prevent any violent
              incidents, Gen Chettha said.

              He will be in Rangoon again early April since he has made an
              appointment with Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt to discuss proposals for
              joint fisheries with Burma that is being drafted by the Agriculture
              Ministry.

              Gen Chettha said that he did not raise the issue of logging in the
              Salween National Park with the Burmese military leader since it
              was an internal matter for Thailand to solve.

              Logs felled illegally in the park have been taken across the river
              to Burma, stamped as Burmese logs and then "imported" back
              into Thailand.

              He added there have been no reports of Burmese soldiers
              involved in the illegal logging at Salween though it is possible
              low-ranking Burmese soldiers might be involved.




                                      




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Last Modified: Sun, Mar 22, 1998