BBC-Burmese rebel groups forge info

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Thursday, August 27, 1998 Published at 11:16 GMT 12:16 UK 

Burmese rebel groups forge informal alliance 

A group of ethnic Karen rebels in Burma says it has made a loose alliance
with another rebel group whose peace talks with the military government
have collapsed. 

The Chairman of the Karen National Union, General Bomya, said the alliance
with the Karenni National Progressive Party would promote military
cooperation in the struggle to protect the rights of Burma's minority
peoples. 

The general confirmed that channels of communication between the Karen
National Union and the Burmese military authorities were still open
although no meetings had yet taken place. 



>From the newsroom of the BBC World Service