Military offensive to flush out gun

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Subject: Military offensive to flush out gunmen begins 

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts 
November 17, 1999

Military offensive to flush out gunmen begins 

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1245 gmt 15 Nov 99 
 

Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 15th November 

Dear listeners. The SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] 
forces have begun an offensive in the Kamawplaw region which is 
under the control of the KNU [Karen National Union] 4th Brigade in
southern Burma's Karen State where the five students who seized 
the Bangkok Burmese embassy are supposedly hiding. DVB 
correspondent Htet Aung Kyaw filed this report. 

[Htet Aung Kyaw] After the five students who seized the Bangkok 
Burmese embassy refused to surrender to the Thai authorities, the 
SPDC forces yesterday launched a fierce offensive in the area 
where the students are supposedly hiding. The Kamawplaw 
offensive was conducted by Tactical Operations Command Nos 331 
and 332 under the 33rd LID [Light Infantry Division] and includes nine
columns from LIB [Light Infantry Battalion] Nos 116, 119, and 102. 

When DVB contacted the KNU 4th Brigade, a KNU major, on 
condition  of anonymity, confirmed the offensive. He said three 
battles took place  yesterday and the SPDC suffered at least one 
dead and five wounded. He  went on to say that the battles took 
place in the region between Aungthawara, the headquarters of the 
33rd LIB, and Kamawplaw area and the battles could  get fierce. 

According to DVB sources, the SPDC forces under 33rd LID and 9th 
Battalion are clearing the KNU 4th Brigade region and many villagers 
were massacred in the Myitmoeletkha area. Villagers who fled the
fighting were captured by the SPDC forces before they reach the 
Burma-Thai border. More than 100 villagers who managed to escape 
to the Maepyarkhee border area were refused entry into Htan Hin
refugee camp by the Thai authorities. 

The Thai side is exerting great pressure for the surrender of the 
five students and the day before yesterday they have arrested 
and jailed over 200 villagers from Tagonlun village, who are 
sympathizers of God's Army. Furthermore, some observers pointed o
ut that since the Thai authorities have blocked the border area where 
the students are hiding, it seems they are supporting the SPDC offensive. 

According to sources close to the students, the talks [between the 
students  and Thai authorities] broke down because the Thai 
authorities rejected the proposal by the students, who wanted the 
trial to take place in a third country. 

So far, there has been no response from the Thai authorities regarding 
the SPDC offensive. According to border sources, since the Border 
Patrol Police 9th Battalion has not yet been stationed along the
border, it is believed that the SPDC forces might cross the border and 
enter Thailand. 

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