Bkk Post - Junta asks military to b

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Subject: Bkk Post - Junta asks military to block return of workers for 9-9-99

Bangkok Post - Sep 4, 1999.
BURMA
Junta asks military to block return of workers for 9-9-99
Curfew imposed and capital reinforced

Post Reporters, Reuters

Rangoon has asked the Thai military to bar thousands of its workers employed
in Mae Sot from returning to the country between Sept 2 and 9.

The move was aimed at preventing the workers from taking part in an
anti-government uprising called by Burmese exiles for Sept 9, 1999-the
so-called four nines day.

Military authorities in Myawaddy had sent a letter to their Thai
counterparts urging the temporary ban on the return of the workers, sources
said.

The letter, dated Sept 2, was signed by Lt-Col Tin Ngwe, commander of a
Burmese military base in Myawaddy.

Mae Sot chamber of commerce data shows that about 100,000 Burmese work in
130 factories in the town.

An army source said the Burmese military "asked us to tell employers in Mae
Sot not to allow Burmese workers to take holidays or return home during that
period".

Separately, the National Council of the Union of Burma said the junta had
tightened security nationwide.

Seven Burmese military officers and two soldiers were arrested in Papun
township in eastern Karen state on Aug 27 for circulating pro-democracy
posters, the group said.

The War Office in Rangoon has ordered commanders to car troops from Rangoon
unless on duty and to recall all officers presently there to their units, it
said.

"Restrictions have also been imposed on relatives of military personnel as
well. They have been prohibited from wearing anything yellow, the colour of
the democracy movement," it said. Meanwhile, a merchant said Rangoon had
also imposed a nationwide curfew. Khampoon Hongsa, a Thai-Mon who travels
regularly between Sangkhla Buri district in Kanchanaburi and Pan-an, Burma,
said the curfew was from 6pm to 6am.

A border source in Mae Hong Son said all towns in Shan state have been under
curfew since Aug 28, and a joint military operation involving Burma's 510th
rapid deployment battalion and Muser volunteers was under way against
minority groups, especially the Shan State Army.

The drive was being concentrated along the 100km border from Ban Khai Luang,
opposite Pang Ma Pha district, Mae Hong Son, to Ban Mae Or Luang, opposite
Muang district.

Burmese troops have also told 1,500 Shan residents of Ho Mong they will be
shot if they break the curfew.

Measures have been stepped up to check people coming in and leaving Ho Mong,
the former stronghold of drug warlord Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army.

According to a source, who claimed to be an intelligence officer of the New
Mon Party, Rangoon has ordered military units in northern Burma to reinforce
security forces in Rangoon and at Thai-Burmese border crossings.

About 5,000 soldiers would be posted around Rangoon while 25,000 others
would be sent to guard the border crossings, the source added.