BNEt News March 28-29, 1998

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------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------   
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"   
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The BurmaNet News: March 28-29, 1998    
Issue #969

HEADLINES:    
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BKK POST: REPRISAL RAID KILLS 10 KARENS
BKK POST: FORCES SHOW STRENGTH BUT SAY 'NO GRUDGES'
BKK POST: SALWEEN SCANDAL PROBE TEAM TO QUESTION OFFICERS
BKK POST: BURMESE TROOPS MASS NEAR BORDER
BKK POST: DRUG USE IN EAST-ASIA ON THE RISE
BKK POST: FOREST IS HOME TO MORE THAN TEAK TREES
THE NATION: RANGOON SAYS KNU ATTACKERS KILLED ONLY EIGHT VILLAGERS
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THE NATION: 50 KILLED AS KAREN RAID DKBA BASES

March 28, 1998

The Nation, Associated Press

Karen rebels simultaneously attacked three bases of guerrillas allied with
the Burmese military government and killed at least 50 people near the
tense border yesterday, hours before the regime celebrated Armed Forces Day
with parading troops in the capital, rebels and officials said. 

The Karen National Union (KNU) told Associated Press in Bangkok that 100 of
its fighters staged the attacks inside Burma in revenge for a series of
cross-border raids by pro-government forces against refugee camps in
Thailand. 

The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) has crossed the border from bases
in Burma repeatedly this month, burning down two camps and firing mortars
at another. Thailand has protested to the Burmese government and threatened
retaliation against the intruders. 

A Thai border police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The
Nation that at least 50 people were killed in the one-hour raids, including
some civilians, and 20 people were injured. The KNU force struck both a
DKBA camp and burned down a DKBA-controlled village and sawmill. 

Most of the 100,000 refugees from Burma seeking shelter in Thailand are
from the Karen minority. The majority support the KNU, which has fought for
more Karen autonomy for 50 years. 

The raids against the camps have been accompanied by an offensive inside
Burma by the government army against the KNU. 

The rebels mustered 100 fighters equipped with grenade launchers and
assault rifles and attacked three military camps, opposite Tak province,
with DKBA and government troops on Thursday night, Thai officials said. 

The attacks lasted until early yesterday morning. 

"Our soldiers and our villagers are angry," Ner Dah, a KNU spokesman, said
in Bangkok. "They attack us, they attack our people several times. Now, we
want to give a little back to them." 

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai this week threatened "all-out attacks" against
intruders if refugee camps are attacked again. 

Army chief Chettha Thanajaro said on Wednesday that the camps should not be
used to harbour anti-Burma rebels and that able-bodied men suspected of
being combatants should be sent back to Burma to defuse the threat of more
cross-border raids. 

Although the move has been criticised by non-governmental organisations
(NGOs), Chettha yesterday insisted that the Army would carry out the
policy. He said one of the reasons that prompt fighting both on Thai and
Burmese soils is the KNU. 

"Criticism by NGOs may be prompted by a misunderstanding. When KNU soldiers
who stay in Thailand attack DKBA, DKBA retaliates," he said. 

Thai authorities yesterday searched Mae Hla camp in Tak but did not found
weapons, which they said might have been removed before the search. 

A Burmese government official, in a faxed statement to Bangkok, said that
the incidents were an internal Karen problem and that the government does
not encourage incursions against neighboring countries. 

The statement said that KNU forces had attacked a village inside Burma on
Tuesday in which three villagers were killed. 

The refugees have claimed that the offensive was part of a run-up to Armed
Forces Day by the Burmese military to notch some victories before the
important holiday, marking the anniversary of resistance against Japanese
occupation in 1945. 


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BKK POST: REPRISAL RAID KILLS 10 KARENS

March 28, 1998

SUPAMART KASEM, WASSANA NANUAM

ANTI-RANGOON FORCES LAUNCH COUNTERATTACK

At least 10 guerrillas of the pro-Rangoon Democratic Karen Buddhist Army
were killed and scores were wounded in a counterattack by anti-Rangoon
Karen forces who burned down three DKBA bases on Thursday night.

About 100 fighters of the mainstream Karen National Union staged the attack
in revenge for a series of cross-border DKBA raids on Karen refugee camps
located on Thai soil.

The KNU divided its forces into three groups to attack three DKBA military
bases around 10 p.m., said a Border Patrol Police officer.

The first group heavily shelled the DKBA's 999th Brigade in Ban Kokko,
opposite Ban Wongpha in Mae Ramat district of Tak, forcing about 50 DKBA
guerrillas to abandon the base, which was later razed to the ground.

The second group rained mortar rounds on the DKBA's Ban Kyoar Pado base,
while the third group raided another nearby base, opposite Ban Wang Takhian
in Tak's Mae Sot district. DKBA defenders tried to put up resistance but
failed to protect their heavily bombarded bases.

Thai officials said the echoes of small and heavy weapons fire could be
heard throughout the rugged border area on Thursday night. About 10 mortar
rounds landed on Thai soil, but no casualties were reported.

The KNU claimed at least 10 DKBA guerrillas were killed and many others
wounded in the night attack, while five of its fighters were also wounded.

After the attack, the KNU forces withdrew to its base opposite Mae Ramat.

Sources said the KNU had sent a letter to warn the three DKBA bases of its
plan to attack in advance. In the letter, the KNU condemned DKBA guerrillas
as the tools used by Rangoon to kill their fellow Karens.

DKBA guerrillas have frequently sneaked across the border from their bases
in Burma this month. They have burned down two refugee camps and fired
mortar rounds at another. Thailand has twice protested to the Burmese
government over the DKBA raids.

Thousands of Karen refugees, many of them KNU supporters, have been housed
in several refugee camps in Thailand after years of fighting in their
homeland. The KNU has been fighting Rangoon for Karen autonomy for 50 years.

The refugee camps have become prime targets of the Rangoon-backed DKBA.

The Thai army has vowed to get tough with Karen refugees found to have
weapons hidden in the camps on Thai soil.

Speaking during his inspection of the refugee camps in Mae Hong Son
province, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro yesterday said the
army would not allow Karen fighters posing as refugees to use Thai
territory to stage attacks on their rivals.

All able-bodied Karen men would be forcily repatriated soon as a precaution
against further border raids by DKBA rebels, said the army chief, adding
only women, children and old people would be allowed to remain in the camps.

"Many Karen men are supporters of the anti-Rangoon Karen National Union.
They are not allowed to stay in our land. If found, they will be disarmed
and sent back to their country," said Gen Chettha.

He said while the repatriation of Karen males might elicit protests from
human rights activists, it was a necessary step as the camps housed both
DKBA supporters and KNU members, and authorities were unable to tell them
apart.

The army chief ordered the camps and border areas searched for hidden
weapons as well as DKBA and KNU guerrillas hiding in Thai territory.

He also stressed the need to relocate the refugee camps about 10 kilometres
deeper inside Thailand.

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra is due to inspect
the refugee camps at Huay Kalok and Ban Mae La in Tak next Wednesday.

The visit is aimed at gathering information from local authorities and at
getting first-hand look before his talks with the Burmese government,
tentatively scheduled for April 7-8.

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BKK POST: FORCES SHOW STRENGTH BUT SAY 'NO GRUDGES'

March 28, 1998

BURMA, AFP

MESSAGE DIRECTED AT KNU, ANALYSTS SAY

Burma's ruling junta yesterday commemorated its 53rd annual Armed Forces
Day by extending an "olive branch" to armed insurgents amid a display of
military might.

"I would like to state here that our Tatmadaw [military] is extending the
olive branch and keeping the door open for the remnants," senior general
and prime minister Than Shwe said during a 30-minute speech.     

Analysts in Rangoon said the comment was obviously directed at the Karen
National Union (KNU), the country's last remaining armed insurgents holding
out against the government near the border with Thailand.

Gen Than Shwe, although not mentioning any names of groups or
organisations, referred' to "aboveground" political parties as "our
citizens" with differing "beliefs and commitments".     

"Though our beliefs and commitments may not be the same, there is no reason
to bear any grudge ... conditions may not permit today, but we must, at one
time, strive for unity of our nation's political groups," he said.

Meanwhile the leading opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) held a
modest ceremony in the compound of leader Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu
Kyi's home.

But, although some 1,200 invitations were sent out, only around 500 NLD
members, some Asian and Western diplomats and the press were allowed to
attend amid tight official security.

In a statement commemorating the day as "resistance day," when the people
of Burma rose up against Japanese occupation forces in 1945, the NLD
repeated its call for dialogue with the military.

A huge military parade of some 6,000 soldiers in central Rangoon marked the
official Armed Forces Day, the 10th since the State Peace and Development
Council (formerly State Law and Order Restoration Council) took power in 1988.

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BKK POST: SALWEEN SCANDAL PROBE TEAM TO QUESTION OFFICERS

March 28, 1998

Acommittee will be set up to investigate officers implicated in the Salween
logging scandal, the army chief said yesterday.

However, Gen Chettha Thanajaro said he had yet to receive from the prime
minister a report on the alleged involvement of his subordinates.

The government's fact-finding team has concluded state officials at all
levels including military men were involved in illegal logging in the
Salween National Park.

Gen Chettha said yesterday that without hard evidence it would take the
army committee no more than three hours to complete its investigation of
officers implicated in the scandal.

He also voiced confidence no senior army officers had anything to do with
illegal logging activities.

Gen Chettha added an army inquiry led by Gen Vinij Krajangson had already
established that no senior officers were involved in any irregularities.

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BKK POST: BURMESE TROOPS MASS NEAR BORDER

March 29, 1998

SUPAMART KASEM, YUWADEE TUNYASIRI

About 2,000 Burmese government troops have massed near the Thai border to
protect towns in the area after Karen National Union rebels attacked and
burned three pro-Rangoon Democratic Karen Buddhist Army camps.

The KNU attack on the camps opposite Mae Sot district of Tak on Thursday
night left at least ten DKBA troops dead. It was in revenge for a series of
DKBA raids on Karen refugee camps on Thai soil, said a border source.

The DKBA has pledged to continue raiding Karen refugee camps in Thailand
and will retaliate if attacked by Thai forces.

Defence volunteers in more than 20 Thai villages have been put on
full-alert for more cross-border raids.

Umphang district chief Charoen Singhayakul said on Friday that at least
2,000 Burmese troops with the Southeastern Force had been deployed near Mae
Tha Raw Hta, opposite Poeng Khoeng village in Tambon Mae Chan. This is
about 80 kms southwest of Umphang town. The troops and supplies have been
deployed along the Kyainseikkyi-Mae Tha Raw Hta road.

About 300 DKBA guerrillas, led by Capt Kana Mew, have also taken up
positions in Sakantis, opposite Khlo Tho village, about 30 kms west of
Umphang. They appeared ready to attack Nu Pho camp, said Mr Charoen.

And about 300 renegade Karen troops with the Karen Peace Force (KPF), led
by Lt-Col Tue Mue Hae, are stationed in Htee Ka Pler opposite Nong Luang
village in Umphang. Mr Charoen said they were poised to attack Nong Luang
which has sheltered fugitive Burmese students belonging to the All Burma
Students Democratic Front (ABSDF).

Lt-Col Tue Mue Hae used to be with the KNU under vice president Lt-Gen Saw
Swe Chai but he broke away with a large number of soldiers and joined
Burmese government troops in Kyaikdon early last year. This was during a
suppression drive by Burmese forces who captured many Burma-based KNU camps
in February and March, 1997.

Forces under Lt-Col Tue Mue Hae and Capt Kana Mew are likely to attack Nu
Pho camp, the source said.

About 600 Burmese troops with heavy artillery are entrenched along the Moei
river south of Myawaddy, opposite Huay Muang village in Mae Sot's Tambon
Tha Sai Luad.

They are prepared for possible KNU attacks on government installations,
shops and homes in Myawaddy.

On the Thai side about 10,000 villagers along the Thai border in Mae Sot
are ready to evacuate if fighting erupts. Soldiers, local and border police
and disaster relief volunteers with fire engines, are also ready to respond.

Tak governor Phongpayom Wasapooti inspected readiness in Mae Sot town on
Friday night.

Mae Sot district chief Tawatchai Fak-angkoon told around 300 village
defence volunteers: "With foreign forces massing along the border, we have
to take precautions to provide people with safety." They will patrol with
police and soldiers and Mr Tawatchai's home is being used as a
communication centre.

***************************************************

BKK POST: DRUG USE IN EAST ASIA ON THE RISE
March 29, 1998
Heroin injections continue to spread

Anucha Charoenpo

The drug situation in East Asia has got worse as illicit poppy cultivation,
opium production, heroin manufacture and opiate trafficking increase,
particularly in Burma, the International Narcotics Control Board's (INCB)'s
1997 Annual Report revealed yesterday.

The INCB's 1997 document, just released, reviews the world drug situation
and the development of various drug control efforts.

For East Asia, the report indicates that apart from Burma, heroin
injections continue to spread in the region, particularly in some southern
provinces of China.

In addition, the illicit manufacture of and traffic in amphetamines are
rising with the spread of abuse posing a major challenge in some countries
in the region. Also the illicit traffic in acetic anhydride (used to
manufacture heroin) and in ephedrine and pseudoephedrine (used to produce
metamphetamine) continues to be a problem in the region, the report noted.

To improve the better drug situation, INCB sought the further development
of the sub-regional cooperation on drug control between Cambodia, China,
Laos, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam and characterised the establishment of
the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering and its regional plan of action,
as important steps in the fight against money-laundering.

The INCB's 1997 Annual Report note that governments are faced with creating
successful drug abuse prevention strategies, in an environment more and
more characterised by public messages that tolerate and even actively
promote, as chic and harmless, recreational drugs use. 

The report eventually note that the INCB calls on governments to counteract
pro-drug messages spread by some politicians, pop culture idols
(particularly those in popular music) and some media to which young people
are increasingly exposed. The most worrisome development is a
drug-friendliness culture that seems to be gaining prominence.

********************************************************* 

BKK POST: FOREST IS HOME TO MORE THAN TEAK TREES

March 29, 1998

UAMDAO NOIKORN

GIBBONS AND SQUIRRELS FOUND BY RESEARCHERS

Everybody has probably heard of the Salween by now. But how many people
know what precious resources, except teak, reside in Salween forests, the
scene of the logging scandal that has dominated the news for the past month?

According to a recent study, the forests are home to more than 235
vertebrate species out of 180 genera in 85 families, many of which are rare.

There are at least 40 species of mammals, including white-handed gibbons,
giant flying squirrels, large bamboo rats and serows.

Other rare and threatened species include bantengs, black giant squirrels,
ping-tailed macaques, Assamese macaques, Chinese pangolin, Asiatic black
bears, leopards, tigers, Asian golden cats, guars, gorals, Horseshoe bats,
Roundleaf bats, otters and civets.

As many as 122 species of birds were recorded during the study by a team of
researchers from Kasetsart University seven years ago: 108 are residents
and the rest are winter visitors.

The number of fish population was expected to be startling. The team found
only 12 species of freshwater fish but the researchers were convinced that
the number could be as many as 200 if the study was conducted all along the
river's length.

Despite the finding of great diversity, forestry expert Prof Uthit Kud-In,
head of the research team, is not optimistic, citing the ongoing
deforestation which has become more alarming.

When the team conducted field research seven years ago, many animals could
hardly be seen even then. Their presence were recorded by their droppings
and footprints. Now that the ecological conditions have deteriorated
because of unabated deforestation, the professor expected many species to
disappear entirely.

The research was done as part of the Forestry Department's attempt to draw
up a master plan for the conservation of the forests, the exploitation of
which dated back to 1907. 

At the time, extensive logging concessions were given to East Asiatic Co
and Bombay Burma Co. When the concession ended in 1933, logging was
temporarily banned to allow the forests to regenerate. According to the
department's report, the forests recovered rapidly because the loggers cut
only big teak trees leaving small ones to grow.

The government decided to give logging concessions again 28 years later.
The loggers were required to reforest the plots after felling the trees but
few complied with the rule. The encroachment by local Thais, hilltribe
people from both Thailand and Burma further degraded the Salween forests.

Many plots of land were turned into farmland and villages. This prompted
the department to declare the forests a national forest reserve in 1941 and
later a national park.

Although deteriorated, the forests remained fertile with numerous reports
of wild animals. Upon requests by villagers of Mae Sariang district to
grant more protection to the park, the government declared 343,750 rai in
Mae Sariang a wildlife sanctuary the same year.

The area of the sanctuary was extended to 546,875 rai in 1983 when
concessions in Sao Hin district expired. This was to ensure a greater
chance of survival for large mammals including elephants, gaurs and red bulls.

What makes the Salween forests stand out from other watershed forests is
the flora and fauna diversity. The plant community there is categorised
into two types: the Indo-Burma plants resulting from Himalayan Mountain
Range atmosphere and Indo-Malaya plants influenced by tropical weather.

According to the Kasetsart study, the Indo-Malaya community plays a vital
role in the conservation of several economically valuable species of
monsoon deciduous forests.

It says a monsoon deciduous forest that is teak-dominated is rare
especially one in virgin condition such as Salween. The deciduous forest
community here is divided into eight types: deciduous forest with and
without teak, dipterocarp forest, pine forest, montane forest, dry montane
forest, deserted farmland forest, rocky forest and riverbank forest.

Unfortunately, there has never been any thorough study on the plant
community in this western forest complex.

"Several plants were unknown or new to us. Up until now, most studies are
focused on plants that yield economic values. It means only big trees
receive attention," said Prof Uthit.

The forestry expert blames the Karens, both settlers from Burma and
long-time forest dwellers, for the decline in wild animal population and
widespread illegal logging.

Because the mountainous terrain is not suitable for sustainable farming,
the Karens turn to logging and wildlife poaching, backed by local
influential persons.

Prof Uthit expressed concerns over the change which would greatly dampen
the survival of many breeds which are already rare.

The clearest ecological destruction is dryness of streams and rivers. When
the trees are felled, the shade which plays a major role in controlling the
water temperature and humidity will disappear resulting in decline of some
fish species or extinction at worst.

"Many kinds of fish just won't lay eggs any more because of temperature
change. Some still do but the eggs won't hatch as it's too hot. The heat
will just cause some species to lose mating or egg-laying instincts. Their
eggs just dissolve into hormones," he explained.

The deforestation along the banks of Salween River also threatens a type of
frog called Rana Blythi. This big, rare frog found in the Salween River has
an egg-laying habit similar to turtles. It only lays its eggs underneath
the pebbled riverbank. 

Prof Uthit explained that deforestation will bring large amount of sand and
sediments into the river. The soil erosion will turn the pebbled riverbank
muddy.

"The tadpoles need a pebbled river bank and cool water to survive."

One of Thailand's scarcest birds found in the sanctuary - hornbills - is
also endangered. Prof Uthit said the birds will not nest unless they find a
hole in the trunk of "a live, big tree."

As for other big animals, the professor assumed they should have
disappeared years ago. He believes some will move northward such as wild
elephants which can still be seen in Pai watershed in the upper North.

He suggests the government take a firm measure in curbing the Karen
population in the forest and relocate them off the forest. 

Meanwhile, local leaders will face swift action if they fail to preserve
natural resources in their jurisdiction areas, Deputy Governor Prapas
Boonyindee said yesterday in Phangnga province.

The province has also vowed to put behind bars encroachers exploiting
national reserves and mangrove forests.

Illegal logging has been reported in over 160 rai of the reserves in Takua
Pa district and in some 500 rai of forest land in Tai Muang district.

Local businessmen are believed to be behind the extensive encroachment
though no evidence has been found against them so far.

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THE NATION: RANGOON SAYS KNU ATTACKERS KILLED ONLY EIGHT VILLAGERS

March 29, 1998
AFP

BURMESE authorities insisted yesterday that eight villagers had been killed
when ethnic Karen rebels attacked three villages near the Thai border,
despite reports that the death toll had been as high as 50.

In an official information sheet, the Rangoon junta said seven women and
one man had been killed in raids by Karen National Union (KNU) rebels,
making no mention of reports of higher death tolls.

Meanwhile KNU spokesman Nerdah confirmed that rebel troops had attacked
four sites inside Burma on Thursday, saying they had also struck at the
rival Democratic Karen Buddhist Army's (DKBA) head-quarters. 
   
"Our troops struck at four different DKBA-junta bases inside Burma,
including their headquarters just inside the border, but as for casualties,
I have no information, but there were casualties," he said.

Observers here have said the attacks were likely to be in retaliation for
earlier offensives on Karen refugee camps inside Thailand blamed on the
DKBA and the Burmese junta.

Senior Thai military sources at the border in the northwest of the country
opposite Myawaddy in Burma confirmed there had been fighting across the
border on Thursday but said it was difficult to determine casualty numbers.

"I can't confirm how many people died from that. fighting because it
happened inside Burma, but some casualties are likely," he said, adding
that it sounded like a heavy clash.

"Some stray shells crossed into Thailand, and the military fired a warning
back, but nobody here was injured," the source said. 

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