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REFUGEES FLEE FROM NEW BURMESE ARMY



Subject: REFUGEES FLEE FROM NEW BURMESE ARMY STRATEGY



Media Release - 03/99
January 14, 1999

                                    
              REFUGEES FLEE FROM NEW BURMESE ARMY STRATEGY
A new batch of more than 300 refugees from Burma began arriving
at a refugee camp in northern Thailand on January 11 following
widespread and indiscriminate looting and killing by Burmese army
troops.

According to the refugees, at the beginning of December 1998 the
Burmese army began using guerrilla-style smaller units instead of
regular infantry columns in the military operation against the
Karen National Union (KNU). The units, with code-names such as
"Sweeping Broom", "Dragon" and "Tempest", are commanded by
Burma's Southern Military Region.

Human rights violations by the Burmese army have been reported in
this area for a number of years. Sources report that these new
units, however, have been given express permission to loot and
burn villages and to kill any villagers in sight.  Refugees
report that rape by the new units is commonplace.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) Foreign Affairs
Secretary Aung Naing Oo says the new strategy is much crueler
than the use of regular military columns.

"The Burmese troops are known to have previously abused villagers
on suspicion of supporting the Karen movement. They now consider
any Karen villagers to be hard-core supporters of the KNU." 

The refugees, mostly Karen, have taken refuge at Mekkhakhee
Refugee Camp in Mae Hon Song Province. They fled from 10 villages
in Shwe Kyin and Kyaukgyi townships in eastern Pegu (Bago)
Division, bordering Karen State. The villages include Shansuu,
Maubin, Lelwar, Khalekhee and Hteemehta.

According to sources in Mae Hon Song the new refugees,
particularly children and the elderly, are facing health
problems. These are due to the lack of medical care, shortage of
food and absence of warm clothing to cope with winter mountain
temperatures encountered during the long journey.
All Burma Students' Democratic Front

For more information please contact 01-654 4984