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AP: Myanmar Reports 4 Dead in New C
Subject: AP: Myanmar Reports 4 Dead in New Clash
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Myanmar Reports 4 Dead in New Clash
Friday, June 25, 1999; 10:29 a.m. EDT
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- A Myanmar army officer said fresh fighting
between government troops and ethnic Karen guerrillas on Friday had left
four soldiers dead and two other wounded.
The officer, speaking on customary condition of anonymity along the
Thai-Myanmar border, said the troops were attacked while on patrol at the
site of a land mine blast that destroyed a passenger bus on Wednesday.
Thai military officials were unable to confirm the reports of the renewed
fighting.
The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that Wednesday's
explosion killed eight people, including a Buddhist monk, and left 16
injured. It was reportedly planted on a bridge near the eastern border town
of Myawaddy.
The Myanmar authorities blamed both attacks on the Karen National Union,
which has been fighting for autonomy for the ethnic Karen minority for half
a century.
The military government of Myanmar, also known as Burma, regards the KNU as
a terrorist group. The Karens accuse government soldiers of systematic
murder, rape and arson.
More than 100,000 ethnic Karens live in refugee camps scattered along the
border in Thailand.
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