NATION: KHUN SA, STUDENTS AND KNU C

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Subject: NATION: KHUN SA, STUDENTS AND KNU CONSIDER ALLIANCE


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May 3, 1994

Reuters

KHUN SA, STUDENTS AND KNU CONSIDER ALLIANCE

Several of Burma's embattled ethnic minority groups have held
discussions with notorious opium warlord Khun Sa on the possibility
of forming an alliance to oppose the Rangoon junta, Burmese
guerrilla sources said yesterday.

The sources, including dissident Burmese students, said
representatives of the autonomy-seeking Karen National Union (KNU)
had travelled to Khun Sa's headquarters in Shan state last month
for talks on cooperation.

A close aide of Khun Sa confirmed the talks between the strictly
anti-narcotics KNU and Golden Triangle kingpin Khun Sa.

"Some `young Turk` Karen officers went to see Khun Sa in the first
week of April to exchange views on various issues, including the
military and political situation," the aide, Khuensai Chaiyene,
told Reuters in a telephone interview.

The Karen representatives had discussed the possibility of forming
a guerrilla alliance with Khun Sa to oppose Rangoon, he said.

Contacts had also been made between the ethnic minority Mon and
Karenni guerrilla groups and Khun Sa's organisation, Khuensai said.

The Karen guerrilla army is led by strict Christians and they have
long taken a tough stand against narcotics, including the death
penalty for drug smugglers.

In the past, the KNU has condemned Khun Sa for his involvement in
the opium business.

The KNU opened ceasefire talks with the Rangoon junta earlier this
year but sources say little progress has been made.  Karen
guerrilla officials were not available for comment yesterday.