Bangkok Post(17/4/99)

[mandalay@xxxxxxxxxx]

<bold>Burma agrees to assist with massacre inquiry Envoy emphasises
problems on border

</bold>

	Burma yesterday agreed to provide whatever information it could gather
to assist investigations into the massacre of nine people in a Thai
village near the border earlier this month.

	The undertaking was given by Nyan Lynn, minister counsellor of the
Burmese embassy, who also pointed to the difficulties the Burmese
government had with armed ethnic minorities based along the border still
fighting Rangoon, Foreign Ministry spokesman Don Pramudwinai said.

	Kitti Wasinondh, deputy director-general of East Asian Affairs, summoned
Mr Nyan Lynn and sought Burma's cooperation in providing information, he
said.

	Nine people were executed in Doi Ang Khang district of Chiang Mai early
this month.

	Mr Don said the ministry informed the counsellor that Thai investigators
presumed the deaths were linked to armed ethnic minorities engaged in
drug trafficking.

	Mr Nyan Lynn agreed in principle to try to provide intelligence
information, he said.

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