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ABSDF NEWS AGENCY (r)






	Local villagers face forced relocation for the security of TOTAL office


	Local villagers from Eindayaza village in Yebyu township,
Tenassarim division were ordered to move by the end of March, according to
the order by the military strategy command Brig-Gen. Zaw Tun. This order
was issued after the attack of a French TOTAL oil firm's field office,
near Kanbauk village, Yebyu township by the unknown armed group on
February 8, 1996.
	Eindayaza village, most of its inhabitant are Karen, is 7 miles
far from the TOTAL's field office. The whole village has been ordered to
move to the "54-mile" beside the Ye-Tavoy motor road which is three miles
far from the old place, according to the order. Villagers were allowed to
bring only their basic stuffs and other household things were not allowed
to bring together with them, it is leant.
	The reason for the relocation was unclear. But it was doubted that
relocation was the repercussion of the February 8 attack.  On February 12,
1996, 11 Karen civilians including village headman from Eindayaza village
were arrested by the troop from Slorc' LIB 273 and tortured for allegedly
having contact with the attackers.  Twelve villagers from Eindayaza were
coincidely found while they were going to their hill-side cultivation on
the Phya Gone hill, on the same day when the attack was occurred. They
were suspected for having relation with the attack as the unknown group
attacked with 107 rocket launcher from the same hill which was only 5
furlongs from the TOTAL's office. 
	Additionally, claiming for the security of TOTAL's office, 10
civilians mostly women were summoned from each village in Kanbauk village
group by the LIB 273.  These over hundred people were order to take
security guard between Kanbauk and Eindayaza from early morning to evening
daily.
	20 villagers each from every village in Kanbauk village group are
being conscripted by Slorc LIB 273 to work forced labor in the
construction of three-mile-long Kanbauk- Pyin Gyi motor road between TOTAL
office and sea port. The road will be used for transportation of the
materials for the building of natural gas pipe.  While local people are
being conscripted in this forced labor construction, TOTAL is paying 50
kyats per day for the each Slorc soldier who are supervising the forced
labor. 


ABSDF News Agency
ABSDF (DAWN GWIN)