Fighting Within Karen Rebels Intens

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Received: (from strider) by igc2.igc.apc.org (8.6.9/Revision: 1.7 ) id TAA29942 for conf:reg.burma; Fri, 27 Jan 1995 19:48:33 -0800
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 1995 19:48:33 -0800
Subject: Fighting Within Karen Rebels Intensified

/* Written 11:46 AM  Jan 23, 1995 by bbatpt@xxxxxxxx in igc:soc.cult.burma */
/* ---------- "Fighting Within Karen Rebels Intens" ---------- */
FIGHTING WITHIN KAREN REBELS INTENSIFIED
	Yangon, Jan.23(ap). Fighting between breakaway buddhist kayins (
karens ) and the KNU ( Karen National Union ) rebel group under Bo Mya
intensified and clashes spread to several areas in rebel controlled areas
in Kayin ( Karen ) State, according to reports reaching from Kayin State
capital Pa-an. 
	Complaining of discrimination of buddhist Kayins by the cristian
leadership within the KNU, some Buddhist Kayins revolted against the KNU
leadership in December last year resulting in armed clashes with heavy
causalities on both sides. 
	Many buddhist Kayins from KNU first brigade in Thaton area,
seventh brigade in Hlaingbwe area and sixth brigade in Kya-in-seikkyi area
left their mother units and joined the newly formed Democratic Kayin
Buddhist Organization ( DKBO ). Heavy fightings took place near nawta,
fifteen miles south of KNU headquarter manerplaw this week, resulting in
DKBO capture of two strategically important KNU outposts, according to
reports reaching from pa-an. 
	About 80 percent of the KNU ranks are buddhists and the leadership
comprises mostly christians. 
	The DBKO assembled at kawkrit island in thanlwin (salween) river,
45 kilometers south of KNU headquarter manerplaw. Over 1,000 buddhist
kayin refugees from U.N refugee camps at Pwaypawlu, mekataw and bawletai
have also left the camps and joined the DKBO at kawkrit island. 
	Fightings between the KNU and the DBKO are reported in thumeta,
kamamaung, methawaw areas and also near dawna ranges continue, reports
said. 
	Already about 2,000 have joined the breakaway DKBO, according to
the reports APC. (Myanmar News Agency)
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