Bangkok Post(19/4/99)

[mandalay@xxxxxxxxxx]

<bold>Border clash leaves seven rebels dead 

Killing of 9 villagers described as brutal

</bold>	

	Kanchanaburi-Seven Karen rebels were killed during a clash with Burmese
soldiers along the Thai-Burmese border on Friday night.

	The fighting took place in Ban Tong Sun, a Burmese village opposite this
province, said a border source, adding seven members of the anti-Rangoon
Karen National Union were killed during the brief gun battle.

	Burmese soldiers seized six AK-47 assault rifles, three pistols, one RPG
rocket launcher and four RPG rockets from the dead rebels. Sources said
Rangoon has reinforced its troops along its border with Thailand last
month as part of its offensive against ethnic minority groups hiding
along the border.