NEWS - Burmese government officials

[Rangoonp@xxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS - Burmese government officials killed near Thai border by

their own military
To: burmanews@xxxxxxxxx, "Burma Net-l @igc.apc.org" <burmanet-l@xxxxxxxxxxx>,
X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 4.0
X-Sender: strider@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

*********************************************************************

BBC - March 9, 1999

Burmese government officials killed near Thai border 

One of the main rebel groups in Burma, the Karen National Union, says
thirteen government officials have been killed in heavy fighting between
the rebels and government forces.

The joint general-secretary of the KNU, Pado Manh Sha, told the BBC that
the rebel forces captured thirteen Burmese immigration officials near
the
Thai border late last month.

He said the rebels were taking the officials to KNU headquarters when
they
were attacked by Burmese army units and the thirteen were killed in the
fighting which ensued.

Pado Manh Sha denied reports that the KNU had executed the officials.
The
KNU has been fighting for autonomy from successive Burmese governments
for
fifty years.

**********************************************************************