Myanmar clarifies

Myanmar clarifies

In reply to the AFP report carried in your issue of May 1,
1995, I wish to clarify the following facts:

* No member of the Myanmar armed forces is involved in these
raids;

* Myanmar authorities are not in a position to control the
actions or movements of the 4000 to 5000 armed elements of the
breakaway Democratic Kayin Buddhists Army (DKBA) as no peace
agreement has been signed with them;

* The same DKBA elements, previously as part of the KNU
rebels, have been crossing and recrossing the border, and living
and moving, fully armed, in the same areas of both countries
since the 1970s, and all of them know but too well the terrain
and the ins-and-outs;

The raids and conflict now in the trans-border region is
between the DKBA and the remaining KNU faction in Thailand. The
so-called "refugees" in the camps are actually family members of
both DKBA and the KNU, and are being cynically used as pawns for
political purposes by interested parties;

Unpublicized reports have been received that many in the camps
wish to rejoin their families in Myanmar, but are unable to do
so.

SOE L. HAN

Press Officer

Myanmar Embassy