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