------------------------- BurmaNet --------------------------- "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" -------------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: 5th May 1995 Issue #165 -------------------------------------------------------------- NOTED IN PASSING: Contents: -------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------THAILAND---------------------------- BKK POST: BURMESE JUNTA HAS GONE TOO FAR THIS TIME THE NATION: SCARED REFUGEES FLEE CAMP TO LOOK FOR SHELTER IN FOREST THE NATION: 'CONCENTRATION CAMPS ARE NOT THE SOLUTION' THE NATION: CHATICHAI TO HEAD MILITARY COMMITTEE BKK POST: RESTRAINED ARMY REACTION RAISES EYEBROWS BKK POST: ARMY WARNS KARENS OF 'HOT PURSUIT' INTO BURMA BKK POST: ARMED INCURSIONS BY KARENS EXPOSE DIPLOMATIC SHORTFALLS THE NATION: ARMY POISED TO STRIKE KAREN ---------------------------FEER------------------------------- FEER: -------------------------------------------------------------- o-------------------------------o The BurmaNet News is an | | electronic newspaper | Iti | covering Burma. 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Burma Issues is a Bangkok-based non-governmental organization that documents human rights conditions in Burma and maintains an archive of Burma-related documents. Views expressed in The BurmaNet News do not necessarily reflect those of either NCGUB or Burma Issues. -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- BURMESE JUNTA HAS GONE TOO FAR THIS TIME 5 May 1995 Within the short space of two weeks, armed intruders, believed to be elements of the Rangoon-backed Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), staged a series of cross-border forays, burning down three Karen refugee camps in Tak and Mae Hong Son provinces. In the most recent raid on Wednesday, the intruders deliberately attacked a Thai police outpost in Sop Moei District of Mae Hong Son and killed three policemen. Reaction from the Thai Government to last week's raids in which two refugee camps were torched and a number of Karens forcibly herded back into Burma followed standard diplomatic practice. A strongly-worded protest note was handed over to the Burmese military junta by the Thai ambassador in Rangoon and the Burmese ambassador in Bangkok was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to receive the protest note. Surprisingly, the response from the Army was unusually mild and cautious compared to the harsh criticism levelled against the Press which first carried the report about the incursion of the renegade Karen fighters into Tha Song Yang District of Tak in late April. Instead of pointing an accusing finger at the intruders of their master, attention was turned to the subject of moving all the Karen refugees to a new camp deeper inside Thai territory. It was only when a more brazen foray took place which left three Thai policemen dead that the Army's voice became harsher and more businesslike. It may not be possible for the Army to guard the entire Thai-Burmese border which is several hundred kilometres long snaking up and down hills in rugged terrain. Yet, the intruders must be served a no-nonsense message that their blatant acts are not only deplorable and hostile, but also cannot be tolerated. Somehow, the slow initial reaction and the lack of retaliation might have sent the wrong message to the intruders and their supporters which has, apparently, caused them to become bolder and more aggressive. All the incidents, particularly the unprovoked attack on the police outpost in Mae Hong Son, are a clear indication that protests alone will not convince the junta in Rangoon to respond positively in order to put a stop to the repeated trampling on of Thai territorial sovereignty. Yet, talks must continue. In the meantime, through, it is necessary to flex some muscle to convey an unmistakable message that enough is enough. Conversely, the idea of relocation of Karen refugees deeper inland is not only logical, but would also help alleviate Burma's deep-seated suspicion of Thailand's clandestine support of the Karen rebels to undermine Rangoon. Rangoon's denial of any responsibility claiming it has no control over the DKBA is not only unacceptable; it is also an unfriendly gesture. It is a well-known fact that the DKBA was founded by renegade Karen Buddhists with the strong backing of Rangoon. The conduct of the DKBA as manifested by their cruel treatment of their own Karen brethren bears testimony to the contempt of their masters for human rights and disregard for human life. The use of the DKBA as its proxy to wage a campaign of terror against Karen civilians on Thai soil is definitely not a friendly act towards its neighbour. Perhaps the junta has become so accustomed to resorting to force and arm-twisting tactics to solve problems involving its own people that similar action by their proteges are just considered as something to be taken for granted. If the violent incidents of the past two weeks are to provide any pertinent lesson, they should at least demonstrate that the constructive engagement policy towards Burma as espoused and nurtured by Thailand should be given a rethink. The idea of inviting Burma to observe the forthcoming Asean foreign ministers' meeting should also be reviewed. The only mitigating factor would be if the Burmese junta suddenly decided to reform its ranks and behave in a proper civilised manner. (BP) SCARED REFUGEES FLEE CAMP TO LOOK FOR SHELTER IN FOREST 5 May 1995 Shoklo Refugee Camp, Tak-Thousands of Karen refugees, the target of a spate of raids by renegade guerrillas from Burma, have fled this camp to live in surrounding forests despite the presence of a formidable-looking Thai Army security force. "The DKBA know this camp, they can attack us any time despite Thai forces patrolling," Tha Wa Zaw, a 37-year-old father of four said yesterday. He was referring to the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), which broke away from the autonomy-seeking Karen National Union (KNU) late last year and joined Burmese government forces. Last week, the DKBA raided and burned several refugee camps on the Thai side of the border. They also forced hundreds of refugees back into Burma, refugee workers say. Thailand sent hundreds of troops and police to reinforce the border, but the extra security has not stopped the raids. Three Thai policemen were killed in a shootout with a group of DKBA gunmen on Tuesday night. Thai Army helicopter gunships clattered over Shoklo every half-hour yesterday and three armoured personnel carriers and 100 heavily armed troops patrolled the camp perimeter. A Karen refugee leader said 4,000 of the camp's 9,000 inhabitants had fled from Shoklo to live in the jungle or at nearby Thai villages. "They are afraid of attacks by the DKBA. They said they will return when the feel safer," Way Har 68, said. Dozens of people left the camp yesterday, waiting for trucks to take them to what they hoped would be safer places. "We are looking for a new place to live, maybe in another camp, maybe in the jungle," said Mya Zo, 23, who was leaving with six relatives and their bundles of possessions. There are more than 70,000 Karen refugees in Thailand, many of them KNU supporters who have fled Burmese army offensives against the guerrillas and what the United Nations has described as consistent human-rights violations in Burma. Hay Har said the Karen at Shoklo, the biggest of the camps, will return to Burma only when democracy is restored. Until now the refugees were housed in 23 camps strung out along a 170-kilometre stretch on the Thai side of the border. Thai authorities now say about half of them will be moved to two new deeper in Thai territory. In interviews last week, DKBA leaders threatened to continue their attacks on the camps until all the refugees returned to Burma. The DKBA was formed by several hundred Buddhist KNU guerrillas who mutinied against their predominantly Christian leaders and joined Burmese government forces last December. The cross-border attacks since then have drawn angry complaints from Thai leaders who say Burma's military government must be held responsible for their allies' actions. (TN) 'CONCENTRATION CAMPS ARE NOT THE SOLUTION' 5 May 1995 Elected representatives from the United States and Britain have deplored the repeated attacks by Burmese forces on Karen refugee camps in Thailand while expressing concern over the Army's proposal to relocate the refugees to a central maximum security camp. "Concentration camps are not a sensible solution," they said in a letter to Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai released in Bangkok yesterday. The letter was signed by US Congressman Bill Richardson (of the select intelligence committee), British Mps Sir David Steel, Jim Lester (of Britain's foreign affairs select committee), Baroness Cox and Glenys Kinnock, a member of the European parliament. "We urge you to step up Thai government efforts to protect the refugees from these raids, and we also urge you and your Asean partners to rethink the policy of constructive engagement with Burma in light of the ongoing attacks," the letter said. It welcomed the prime minister's instruction to Army chief Gen Wimol Wongwanich to take steps to ensure the refugees' safety. "On the other hand, we are disturbed by General Wimol's stated desire to push all refugees out of Thailand or, failing that, to move Karen refugees into a single camp deep inside Thailand protected by barbed wire and land mines. "Concentration camps are not an acceptable solution and it is a cruel twisting of facts to blame the refugees, as General Wimol implicitly has, for the cross-border attacks." The press release followed a spate of attacks by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) on Karen refugee camps in Tak and Mae Hong Son provinces during the past two weeks. "We urge you to bring regional pressure to bear on those ultimately responsible for the violations of the rights of refugees: the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) and its allies the Democratic Karen Buddhist Organization [the renegade group's political wing]," the letter said. It asked Asean countries to get a written commitment from Slorc "to cease the cross-border raids and respect international human rights and refugee law". If Slorc refused, Asean should make it clear that rangoon's representatives would not be welcome at the Asean ministerial meeting in Brunei in July, the letter said. (TN) CHATICHAI TO HEAD MILITARY COMMITTEE 5 May 1995 Chat Pattana leader Gen Chatichai Choonhavan was yesterday elected chairman of the House Committee on military affairs. Chatichai was chosen during yesterday's House session to replace Chat Pattana adviser Gen Arthit Kamlang-ek, who has been a deputy prime minister since late last year. Sunai Chulapongsathorn, Chatichai's personal secretary, said the Chat Pattana leader accepted the post because he wants to help solve the problem along the Thai-Burma border. He said Chatichai is suitable for the position because in addition to having been prime minister, he has been chief of various ministries, including defence and foreign affairs. "He knows the problem well. His knowledge will be useful to the country," Sunai said. Chatichai has been a vocal critic of the government's handling of the recent tension along the Thai-Burmese border in the North, where armed Karen troops, believed to be backed by Rangoon, killed three Thai policemen in Mae Hong Son province on Wednesday. (TN) RESTRAINED ARMY REACTION RAISES EYEBROWS 5 May 1995 by Post reporters What strikes most people about the repeated incursions into Thailand by the Buddhist Karens is the belligerent attitude of the attackers and the restrained reaction of the Thai army. Although three Thai policemen have been killed already, not one artillery round has been fired at the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). If the same thing had happened along the Cambodian border, you can be sure the Thai army would have already opened fire, as they have done repeatedly when a stray shell from the fighting inside Cambodian lands on Thai soil. The first thing that comes to mind is that there is no love lost between the Thai army and Phnom Penh, but relations between a succession of Thai military leaders and the Rangoon's State Law and Order Restoration Council_which holds the leash on the DKBA_have been tight. This may perhaps explain why the Buddhist Karens appear to have no concern about a Thai reaction. But the ferocious nature of their raids burning refugee camps and putting a gun to the head of a Thai ranger commander guarding one of the camps goes deeper than that. The Buddhist Karens were part of the Karen National Union fighting Rangoon before they defected and led Burmese troops in attacks and the overrunning of their former Manerplaw and Kawmoora strongholds. The split between the Buddhist and Christian Karens, the letter composing the majority of the KNU leadership, is in large part due to their drastically different economic status. The Christian Karens, which outnumber their Buddhist counterparts, are better off through their border trade with Thailand. The Buddhist Karens are not very entrepreneurial and have been watching their Christian brothers prosper while the two fought side by side with the Burmese. This has caused a lot of resentment on both sides to the point where the Buddhist Karens decided to defect to Slorc. Part of that resentment is also directed toward the Thais whom they see as benefiting from natural resources such as logs and gems in Karen-held territories. Now they have driven the KNU out, they want to make sure they remain in charge of the area without the possibility of the KNU returning to dominance. Thus, they want the Karen refugees, spread over some 30 camps over the Thai border, under their control. To do that, the refugees will have to return to Burma rather than stay in Thailand where they can be recruited by the KNU. Rangoon knows this. And despite its protests that it has nothing to do with the incursions or has any control over the DKBA, you can be sure they prefer to look the other way and let the Buddhist Karens do whatever they have to do. On the Thai side, the Government has all but ordered direct retaliation against the DKBA. Interior Minister Sanan Kachornprasart has even suggested that two artillery rounds be fired on the DKBA forces to send them massage Thailand will not stand by and allow its sovereignty to be infringed upon and her officers killed. Bur while the Government has taken the role of the hot head, the military has adopted the reverse role and is cautioning for reason for a charge. Yesterday another clash with the Buddhist Karens occurred in Chiang Rai and one Thai ranger was killed. The army issued another warning threatening to pursue the foreign invaders back across the border. One senior military officer, who did not wish to be named, argued that the role of the army in this incident was to maintain good relations with Burma as a "friend". "If the Government adopts aggressive measures and the soldiers follow suit, then the situation will deteriorate," he said. "That is not the way to solve the problem. We cannot isolate Burma. That will only make things more violent." The officer argued that Thailand stood to lose a lot from an armed response because the security situation along the border, where there are a lot of minority groups, could spin out of control. But foremost on his mind was the effect it would have on border trade _a view chaired by most Thais who live or trade along the border with Burma. The military insists that the developing of trade along the border and opening up Burma through economic links, as well as physical means like the Thai-Burma Friendship Bridge over the Moei River in tak Province or gas pipelines through Ratchaburi, is the best solution to all problems with Burma. This, of course, is not to mention the billions of baht in logs and gems that pass through the border areas. But can the Thai army continue to make empty threats while a small renegade band makes a joke of it? This will also determine the relationship between Thailand and Burma and her minority groups long into the future. (BP) ARMY WARNS KARENS OF 'HOT PURSUIT' INTO BURMA 5 May 1995 Thai troops will not hesitate to wipe out Democratic Karen Buddhist Army forces if they continue their cross-border raids, Third Army Region commander Lt-Gen Surachet Dechatiwong said yesterday. He warned that his soldiers could pursue the Rangoon-backed forces into Burma if necessary. "Whenever we know for sure where DKBA forces are located, we will not hesitate to wipe them out with drastic and violent means," he told a press conference at Naresuan Maharaj Military Camp, the Third Army 's headquarters, in Phitsanulok. He sees no reason why the DKBA cannot be attacked if its bases are found in Burma. "Why not? They violated our sovereignty. It is the army chief's policy for us to retaliate drastically." Lt-Gen Surachet called the conference yesterday on instruction from Army chief Gen Wimol Wongwanich, following a spate of attacks on Karen refugee camps along the Thai-Burmese border. On Wednesday, there of five policemen manning an outpost at Ban Mae Ngao in Sop Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province, were killed by intruders believed to be DKBA soldiers. The DKBA denies any responsibility for this attack. Almost simultaneously at Ban Mae Sam Laeb, about 20 armed intruders crossed the Salween River, torched a Karen refugee camp and robbed nearby Thai villagers of 10,000 baht in valuables. Army-trained rangers and about 50 intruders believed to be DKBA fighters clashed at Huay Mae Pua, north of Mae Sam Laeb, yesterday morning. The incident was reported to the Mae Hong Son assistant governor for security affairs by defence volunteers. Four helicopter gunships were used against the intruders. No reports of casualties emerged from either side. Lt-Gen Surachet said witnesses to Wednesday's attack on the outpost could not identify the attackers, "but we initially suspected it was the work of the Buddhist Karen". He said Thai border forces had not been able to take action against the DKBA because of the rough terrain. Also, all Karen refugee camps were very close to the border, making it difficult for Thai forces to protect them. Claims the Thai military's intelligence work was inefficient had some grounds, he said. "We accept the criticism because it is not possible for us to succeed in all our work. We will have to improve our intelligence work and coordinate more effectively with other agencies." Lt-Gen Surachet said it was difficult to prevent Buddhist Karens from infiltrating the refugee camps as it was hard to differentiate between the Christians and Buddhists. He denied the attacks on refugee camps might be collusion between Thai and Burmese authorities. "There has been no such collusion. We perform our duties straightforwardly," he said. The transfer of Task Force 34 commander Col Direk Yaemngamriab was for reasons of "suitability", he said. Lt-Gen Surachet said about 1,000 soldiers had reinforced border areas in Tak and Mae Hong Son. Gen Wimol said in Nakhon Pathom that Burma must be held responsible for the incidents because the intruding forces were all from Burma, regardless of which group they belonged to. He said the military was duty-bound to take whatever action was necessary to defend Thailand's sovereignty. DKBA commander Lt-Gen Toe Hlaing told the Bangkok Post his targets were elements of the Karen National Union (KNU) and Karen refugees loyal to the KNU. He never thought about attacking Thais or their forces. Lt-Gen Toe Hlaing believes Wednesday's attack stems from personal conflicts between Karen and local police. Two or three months ago five Karens, two of them women, were arrested while returning home after working in Chiang Mai. "The police at the outpost extorted 20,000 baht from them, all they had with them. What is worse is the police at the booth raped the two women before letting them go," Lt Gen Toe Hlaing said. He said He had learned that similar incidents had happened to Burmese and Karen immigrants seeking jobs in Thailand but those victims did not dare to inform the police. Lt-Gen Toe Hlaing's information is similar to a report to police chief Pote Boonyachinda by deputy police chief Gen Chumpol Atthasart who was in Mae Hong Son to see the situation. Pol Lt-Gen Chumpol told the police chief by telephone that the killing of the three officers on Wednesday might have been sparked by the arrest of Karen leaders by Thai authorities. The arrested were made after the leaders allegedly trespassed on Thai territory and allegedly intimidated and physically abused Thai officials. Pol Lt-Gen Chumpol yesterday led senior police officers to inspect the border where the outpost was attacked. Prime Minister Chun Leekpai said initial reports reaching him did not confirm which Karen group was behind the attack. Gen Wimol's promise to take drastic action against the DKBA would not affect Thai relations with Burma, Mr Chun said. Burma had said the Buddhist Karens who torched refugee camps were out of its control. (BP) ARMED INCURSIONS BY KARENS EXPOSE DIPLOMATIC SHORTFALLS 5 May 1995 The repeated incursions into Thai territory, resulting in death and destruction to Thais as well as Karen refugees, have exposed flaws in the country's defence capacity and diplomatic strategy. The statements of top men in the military establishment and the foreign ministry have also shown up a familiar lack of coordination that time and again has weakened the country's position in issues important to Thai people as well as Thailand's standing in the international community. The three Thai policemen shot dead on Wednesday were the first Thai fatalities in a series of cross-border raids by pro-Rangoon forces that have taken place since April 19. Killed at Ban Mae Ngao, in Sop Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province, the policemen were believed to have been casualties of the so-called Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). For two weeks before that, the army widely believed to be supplied by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) in Rangoon had rampaged on Karen settlements in a series of raids on border areas of Mae Hong Son as well as Tak. Karen homes at Ban Mae Tuen, in Tha Song Yang District of Tak, were razed, the people's belongings stolen, and some 10 Karen people abducted in the first raid on April 19 by an estimated 30 armed men of the DKBA. Four days later, on April 23, the DKBA returned to the same area, this time with a bigger contingent of about 100 armed men. They burned five shanties and pushed some 50 Karens back into Burma. On the following day, another 400 armed men crossed the Moei River for "secret" operations in Tha Song Yang. Nine Thai villagers were forced to carry some injured armed men back to Burma before they were later allowed to return to Thailand. On April 25, about 300 armed men struck further north, crossing the Salween River into Mae Hong Son. They clashed with a Thai security unit, and burnt down dwellings at a Karen settlement in the area before retreating. In a second raid on the same day, another group hit a temporary camp at Ban Kaemalaeko, in Tha Song Yang District of Tak. Armed with heavy weapons, this group set fire to more than 300 living shelters. The DKBA leaders also threatened to continue their raids until all the Karens return to Burma. It was only after these two raids on April 25 that the Foreign Ministry came out with a reaction. A written protest was handed to the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) in Rangoon, and the Burmese Ambassador to Thailand U Tin Winn was summoned for "discussions". The fact that there have been more raids and worse violence since then suggests complete lack of respect for Thailand's observance of diplomatic propriety. But a senior foreign ministry official insisted that the protest letter was the best option. Thailand refrains from use of force, believes such incidents can be solved at local level, and does not want to further damage relations by overreacting, the official said. On the ground situation, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Wimol Wongwanich has prposed putting all Karen refugees now living scattered in five districts of Tak Province into one centre deeper inside Thailand. The general argued that this would enable Thai authorities to give better protection to the Karens. Gen Wimol's proposal has drawn different responses from Saranrom (the name of the palace where the Foreign Ministry is housed)'s key men. Deputy Foreign Minister Surin Patsuwan said he thought the existing refugee camps - most of them located some 500 metres from the Moei River - were already far enough from the border. "We have to be sure, before moving the camps further from the border, that there is enough space and safety for the refugees and we must consider the effects on Thai people already living there," he said. Foreign Minister Krasae Chanawongse however said the Foreign Ministry had no objection to the army chief's proposal. The minister, who inspected the border area on Tuesday, also said if he had to choose between human rights and national security, he would choose the latter. At the same time, the minister said Thailand did not want the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) playing a role on the Thai-Burmese border. Thailand wants to solve the refugee problem here on its own because its experience with displaced Cambodians has shown that international help prolongs the problem, he argued. Thailand seeks a long-term solution, and this means Burma attaining national reconciliation, peace and prosperity, said Mr Krasae. Thai officials contend that constructive engagement will improve economics in Burma and encourage Slorc to become a more sociable member of the international community. But years after sticking with the controversial policy, both goals seem to be out of sight. On the economic front, the Thai government has shelved a plan to allocated 300 million baht to Burma for upgrading the 164-kilometre Tachilek_Keng Tung road after the Thai private sector withdraw from the project in the middle of last year. The Finance Ministry has also suspended a plan to reduce the soft loan interest rate from 3 per cent to 1.5 per cent pending a political decision. As for the hope of persuading Slorc to become more sociable, the experience of Karens and Thai villagers living in border areas of Tak and Mae Hong Song should from a crucial part of the assessment. Ordinary people simply want to live in peace and have some money to spend. They look to soldiers to provide defence, and diplomats to be effective go-betweens. (BP) ARMY POISED TO STRIKE KAREN 5 May 1995 SOLDIER REPORTED KILLED IN ANOTHER CROSS-BORDER RAID THE army is preparing to raid a stronghold of the Rangoon- backed DKBA, blamed for recent violent incursions into Thailand, Third Region Commander Lt Gen Surachet Daechawangse said. The toughest Army stand on the repeated raids by the DKBA was announced as Associated Press reported that a fresh rampage by the Karen faction yesterday left a Thai solider dead. The report could not be immediately confirmed. Surachet said that once the Army had located the group's base it would launch a surprise attack, and cross into Burma if necessary. "If they can enter Thailand, we can enter Burma, Gen Surachet said at a press conference in Phitsanuluk called to announced the operation. Reporters were given a tour of the command's operations center; followed by the press conference, at the instruction of Army Chief Wimol Wongwanich. It followed criticism of the Army's failure to stem border incursions by the DKBA, a renegade Karen group which allied itself with the Rangoon military junta to oust its former ally, the KNU from its Burmese bases in February. The DKBA leadership has admitted conducting several raids on Karen refugee camps in Thailand. It has not, however, claimed responsibility for the most violent incident early Wednesday morning in which heavily-armed intruders stormed a border police outpost in Mae Hong Son and killed three policemen. Gen Surachet admitted that blaming the Third Region Command for its failure to effectively defend the Thai border is partially legitimate, but he said the rugged nature of the long border with Burma makes it impossible to close it completely. Gen Surachet gave firm assurance that any action against the DKBA would be "abrupt and decisive", but refuse to go into detail. AP, quoting border army sources who requested anonymity, said that about 50 DKBA men killed one Thai soldier yesterday and wounded a second in an attack on 60 troops near the Mae Samlap refugee camp in Mae Hong Son. The sources, Thai soldiers in the area, said they called in reinforcements and four helicopter gunship and within 30 minutes had forced the Karen back into Burma. Authorities added about 700 men later yesterday to the 300 normally posted in the area. Authorities also borough in about 800 soldiers yesterday to add to the 200 guarding the border in Tak province. Despite the army's announcement that it was poised to strike back, senior Thai army officials told The Nation last night that a main obstacle such and operation would be the DKBA's ability to quickly blend into Karen villages where there are elderly people, woman and children. Army chief Wimol earlier said a harsh Thai counter-attack Light backfire "If shells hit children and women". Wimol emphasized caution, but countering critism that the Army had done little in response to the aggression, he hinted that certain secret operations have been carried out. "We can't solve big national problems with anger, emotion or words. If we have to inform reporters of very move we make, there will be no time to act," he said. Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai yesterday reiterated that the Army id free to take whatever action it deems fit. "A green light (to counter-attack the intruders) need not be granted. This means the Army has absolute power to respond rationally to border violations,: he said. Gen Surachet yesterday denied by the DKBA fighters and the abduction of KNU leaders could not have succeed without the help of some of his subordinates. He also announced the Army had located two sites in Tha Song Yang district of Tak Province which could provide a safe haven for about 7,000 Karen refugees, but said no decision has been made yet whether to relocate all 70,000 to one site. He also echoed the Army's reluctance to allow the UNHCR to take over administration of Karen camps. He explained that UNHCR innervation would limit the Army's authority in dealing with the border situation. The Foreign Ministry has a separate mission, to use diplomatic channels to settle the problem. Foreign Minister Krasae yesterday defended Thailand's policy od constructive engagement with Burma as the only way to win Rangoon's trust. Krasae also warned that any response to the Burmese border incursions which generates further tension would be detrimental to the interests of both countries. "What Burma needs most it for us to increase confidence- building measure," Krasae said. The House Committee's call came after three months od merciless military operations by Rangoon's forces against Gen Bo Mya's border-based KNU and Khun Sa's MTA. The operations triggered an influx of refugees into Thailand and led to repeated intrusions by Burmese government troops and their allies, the DKBA. Three Thai border Patrol Police were killed in Mae Hong Son on Wednesday. Kreasae said excluding Burma from the 28th Asean Ministerial Meeting in Brunei in July as punishment would be counter productive. Burma attended the Asean annual meeting last year in Bangkok last year as the guest of Thailand. Krasae said he needs all the facts the military can provide before he makes any decision about the border intrusions. The House of Representatives briefly addressed the border issue yesterday but finally suspended an urgent motion by New Aspiration MP Krit Kongpetch who wanted immediate parliamentary debate. (TN) FEER: DOPE, BUCKS AND SPIES Burma in Revolt: Opium and Insurgency Since 1948 by Bertil Lintner General Li's 3rd Kuomintang army at Tam Ngob was the best organized drug trafficking group in the region. The other main unit, the 5th KMT under Duan Xiwen, was based at Mae Salong in the hills northwest of Chiang Rai, but most of its troops were active along the Mekong River in Laos, guided by the CIA and assigned to collect intelligence from across the border in Yunnan. As the Vietnam War was escalating, it was becoming of utmost importance to find out about, and if possible, to disrupt, the flow of Chinese weapons and other supplies to North Vietnam. Apart from Gen. Duan's troops, there was also an... Elite unit called... "Bataillon Special 111." Commanded by the highly competent Li Teng, it was manned mainly by ex-POWs from the Korean War. The allied forces had captured more than 20,000 Chinese PLA troops from the human-waves of young conscripts which communists had sent down across the 38th parallel. More than two-thirds of the Chinese POWs were violently opposed to the idea of returning to their communist homeland, and after careful vetting by Taiwanese intelligence agents, a fair number of them were resettled on the Nationalist Chinese island. The most trustworthy were given special training and had slogans like "Death to Communism.!" Tattooed on their arms to prevent defection. They were sent to the Chinese frontier in northern Laos, where they remained for years as the most secretive of all the mercenary gr valley of Mong Wa in eastern Shan State, close to the Mekong River, served as a third major staging point. The Vingngun base was perhaps the most important because of its proximity to an area of Yunnan where even the central Chinese government exercised little control. The base was led by Col. Sao Tuensung, a high-ranking intelligence operative. His three main assistants. "The Wei Brothers," were engaged in both espionage and opium trading. Ma reported directly to the CIA base at Nam Yu in northwestern Laos, passing on vital intelligence on the movement of Chinese supplies to Hanoi and to the Pathet Lao guerrillas in Laos. Observed French researcher Catherine Lamour: "Ma Ching-ko had built up the grandest infiltration operation of secret agents that ever took place in any country after World War II." The coexistence of drug trafficking networks and espionage rings with U.S. connections has led many authors and journalists to jump to the conclusion that drug money was used the finance covert operations, and that the CIA was somehow behind the traffic. People with years in the field deny such allegations. U.S. covert operations, they say, were financed by secret funds from Washington. Drug money provided extra income, or "pocket money", for some of the people who where involved in these operations. In the case of the KMT, drug money was also undoubtedly used to buy equipment and rations, and to pay soldiers. In a surprisingly candid interview with a British newspaper in 1967, Gen. Duan of the 5th KMT declaimed: "We have to continue to fight the evil of communism and to fight you must have an army, and an army must have guns, and to buy guns you must have money. In these mountains the only money is opium." (FEER) -------------------------------------------------------------- BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different topics related to Burma. The scope of the subjects involved is simply too broad for any one person to cover. 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