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DVB : Military clashes between Shan



Subject: DVB : Military clashes between Shan State Army and SPDC

18.12.99 BURMA: OPPOSITION RADIO REPORTS MILITARY CLASHES WITH SHAN ARMY.
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 16 Dec 99

Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 16th December

Clashes have been taking place between the SSA [Shan State Army] units, the
SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] troops, and Lahu militias under
SPDC control in Tachilek Township. At about 1400 [local time] on Monday,
13th December, clashes took place between SSA forces led by Maj Sao Khun
Sint and Lahu militia led by Seitalu and Risei from Tachilek-based 331st
Infantry Battalion at Loime Phunt and Loilal Natpon. An SSA commander in
Mae Hong Son told the DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] that the SSA fared
well during the skirmishes, while the SPDC unit suffered one dead and at
least four wounded. The SSA captured arms and ammunition as well as 400,000
methamphetamine tablets at the end of a skirmish on Tuesday. The Lahu
militia are producing the methamphetamine in Tachilek which is under the
control of the SPDC. The Lahu militias have been engaged in the production
of methamphetamine along the border areas for some time. They are reported
to have surrendered and joined the SPDC after they came under the SSA
attacks. A statement issued by the information department of the SSA said
that in accordance with the drug eradication policy of the SSA, the
confiscated drugs were handed over to the Thai authorities at 1200
yesterday. Thai TV Channel 7 carried the report on the hand-over of 400,000
methamphetamine tablets to the Thai authorities by the SSA yesterday and
this morning. When asked about the report on the TV, the SSA major told the
DVB today that the SSA is working for drug eradication and that the SSA
views the notorious image of the Shan State as the narcotic production
centre as absolutely undesirable. Addressing the Shan New Year ceremony
held at the temporary headquarters of the SSA on 8th December, Col
Yordserk, commander-in-chief of the SSA, pledged to step up drug
eradication drive. The clash between the SSA, the SPDC troops and Lahu
militias, which started since 13th December, is reported to be continuing
as of this morning.
(c) BBC Monitoring Summary of World Broadcasts.

The news in audio is avaliable at http://www.communique.no/dvb/programs/

Regards,


Thin Myat Thu (Thida)                                  Tel: + 47 22 691699
WEB Editor                                             Fax: + 47 22 694676
Democratic Voice of Burma                     http://www.communique.no/dvb/