KNU Statement (r)

[76613.2262@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1/97
FROM THE KAREN NATIONAL UNION (KNU) ON THE 1997 SLORC OFFENSIVE

1.	The massive military offensive against Karen National Union (KNU)
Headquarters at Hteekerpler in KNU 6th Brigade area, began on February 2nd 1997.
The offensive has now extended to the KNUs 4th Brigade of Mergui-Tavoy District
area.  Simultaneous offensive against the KNU are also occurring in KNU Brigade
areas 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7.

2.	In this general offensive against the KNU, human rights abuses such as
arbitrary arrest, portering, rape, torture, murder, looting, and the destruction
of property, have been perpetrated by SLORC troops against thousands of
civilians are trapped inside these brigade areas and have been unable to cross
the border into Thailand due to the overwhelming presence of SLORC troops.

3.	Within days of the start of the offensive against the KNU 6th Brigade
area, an influx of over 20,000 refugees into Thailand has occurred.  Many more
refugees are expected to cross the border into Thailand.  Although international
relief organizations are assisting some of these refugees at present, further
assistance such as shelter, sanitation, clean water, food, medicines, medical
assistance, are urgently needed.

4.	The SLORC is not only conducting an all-out military offensive against
the KNU, but its Psychological Warfare Department also waging a propaganda
campaign by spreading false rumours amongst the people in these areas to
discredit the KNU.  These false rumours state that there is a split between the
President of the KNU, General Bo Mya, and the vice-president of the KNU General
Shwe Hser, and that there has been a massive surrender of KNU troops to the
SLORC side.

5.	The basic policy of the KNU is to resolve the political problems between
the KNU and SLORC peacefully by political means through dialogue, but the SLORC
has responded with a massive military offensive.  Therefore the Karen people and
other united ethnic groups of Burma and pro-democracy forces will now have to
continue to wage a war of resistance against the SLORC.

February 20, 1997.