K.N.U. Statement on Porters

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The following press release was prepared by the government of the Karen
people rebelling against the Burmese military regime.  It refers to forced
portering in Karen villages by the Burmese army.  BurmaNet is independent and
NOT affiliated with the Kaw Thoo Lei government or any other armed group. 
This press release is posted to the net as a public service.

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INFORMATION RELEASE

Government of Kaw Thoo Lei
Office of the Prime Minister
Information Committee

February 16, 1994


Burmese Army Central Command has stationed its Strategic Command
#2, under the command of Operation Commander Lt. Col. Win Maung,
at Bawgali village in Thandaung Township (Toungoo District). 
This Strategic Command is now demanding monthly "porter fees"
from the surrounding villages in the following amounts:

                                   Kyat per Month
          1)      Bawgali Village                 64,000
          2)      Ler Ko Village                   8,000
          3)      Wah Tho Kho Village             12,000
          4)      Kaw So Kho Village              12,000
          5)      Saw Thay Der Village             8,000
          6)      Klay So Khee Village             8,000
          7)      Gah Mu Der Village               8,000
          8)      Der Doh Village                  8,000
          9)      Pai Koh Der Village              8,000
          10)     Maw Ko Der Village               8,000
          11)      Ku Ler Der Village              8,000
          12)     Maw Per Der Village              8,000
          13)     Klaw Mi Der Village              8,000
          14)     Hu Mu Der Village                8,000
          15)     Ler Kler Der Village             8,000

Other villages in the area were ordered to pay monthly "porter
fees" of 6,000-8,000 Kyat for each porter, depending on village
size.  None of this money is ever used to pay or feed porters,
who are only kept alive on a handful of rice a day and never paid.

The Strategic Command is also constructing a hospital in Bawgali
Village as a "development project".  However, the villagers are
being forced to contribute money for all the costs of the project.
 The funding originally allocated for the project is all being
pocketed by the SLORC military officers.

The villagers are also being forced to construct a road between
Bawgali and Pa Lay Wa villages.  They have to work without pay
and bring all their own food while working on the road.  The funds
originally provided for this "development project" have also been
pocketed by the military officers, who then force the villagers
to build the road.