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<bold>Druglord khun Sa bedridden in Rangoon

</bold><italic>Asian Age (25.1.99)

</italic>Bangkok, Jan. 24: Former drugs warlord Khun Sa, one of the most
notorious heroin traffickers until his surrender to Burma's government,
is ill, sources in Burma told AFP on Sunday.


Khun Sa who is wanted by US to be tried n drugs charges, is suffering
from diabetes and paralisis of his right arm and right leg, a source from
the insurgent Shan State Army said. The former warlord is also plagued by
rheumatism, high blood prusser and weak heart and his condition has been
deteriorating since December, the source said.


The report of Khun Sa's worsening health was confirmed by a source in
Rangoon.


Khun Sa 64, has been living under the protection of Burma Military
intelligent since he cut a deal with the government more than two year
ago.


His insurgent Mong Tai Army, which had fought a 20 year srruggle for
independece, was didbanded, gave up its weapons and pledge to stop
manufacturing narcotics.


Factions of the Shan State Army have continued the battle for a sperate
ethnic Shan state with some spliter group of the MTA.


Shan State is on the edge of the Golden Trangle opium growing region
which includeds parts of the Thailand and Laos as well as Burma. The SSA
has called on US and Thailand to help it eradicate heroin production.
Burma' government reportedly aggred not to prosecute Khun Sa and to b;ock
any attempts to extradite him. Official last year told AFP in Rangoon
that he was being debriefed.

<italic>

Burma Info

Communication Center 

New Delhi</italic>