ＫＮＬＡ−ＮＥＷＳ．

　　　　- FEBRUARY,1997 -

　　　Situation More Update on Thai-Burma Border,13/FEB. On Saturday Feb 8th, the alert was passed to the Karen villages that SLORC troops were on the move and getting into position for a major offensive. The SLORC troops were approaching from 3 strategic routes as follows:
　　　(1)-Division 77/33/101 came from Paloo, (2) Division 22/44 marched in from Kyain Seikyi area and (3)Division 88 moved from Myawadi. On 12/2/97 troops arrived in Chokali and also on 12/2/97 they marched to the Sakhanthit area which is General Headquarters for the Karen National Union. They had not yet entered the area. On 13/2/97 at 11:00 AM SLORC troops started attacking Hteekable (KNU Headquarters).
　　　As of this writing, the battle continues. Word has been received from an eye witness that Karen villagers from Sakhanthit and surrounding area were refused santuary in Thailand by the Thai Army and forced back into Burma without adequate protection from the advancing SLORC forces. A humanitarian aide worker staying in the village of Kwee Kler for the past 5-weeks told of the situation as she witnessed it. Word was received that SLORC troops were on the move and the villagers were put on alert. One day all the shops were open, the hospital and health administration students were doing business as usual and children were playing in the roads. During the night after the alert was given there were sounds of trucks moving up and down the roads moving out people and supplies. Villagers were slaughtering some of their livestock in preparation for a forced move. At 8:00 AM when most of the markets were doing a brisk business only 2 remained open and even they were packing up all their food and supplies to move out. Last minute items were purchased by this writer and bags were packed in preparation for a forced evacuation.
　　　A dramatic change was seen on the faces of those still remaining in the village. Women and children who before smiled and greeted me in days past were now grim and anxious with fear. Women and young girls I had grown to love cried with me as preparations were made to leave. The scene that will stay in my mind forever is that of dozens of ox cart, so heavily laden with family members and personal items they could hardly negotiate the rutted roads heading out of the villag e. They all hoped they were heading to safety but few of them really believed they would find what they were looking for.
　　　When I was taken out of the village, all the patients were still in the hospital. All the Health Administration Students were still there wondering what to do next. About 75% of the people had left by 2 PM on Monday Feb 10,1997. We passed individuals with everything they could carry on their backs. Mothers with nursing babies at their breast standing in the swirling dust kicked up by the oxen plodding along tugged at my heart. As of this writing, none of us know what will happen next. We do know that we will not compromise what we believe in and will continue to stand for the rights some of us from the outside world take so much for granted.

　　　Situation Update of the fighting on Thai-Burma Border,14/FEB. About 2:15 pm,Slorc troops of Divisions 22 and 88 started shelling at Sakanthit, the Headquarters of KNU. As planned, the Karen guerillas abandoned their headquarters after a mionor resistance. At 3 pm the Slorc troops occupied Sakanthit and set on fire. At the same time Hteekaple which is an hour and a half drive from Sakanthit, was attacked, occupied and set on fire.Villagers in the area crossed the border into Thailand to a Thai village called Klaw Htaw. -Skirmishes are still continuing in the vicinity of the area.

　　　Hard time for Karen Refugees on Thai-Burma Border,17/FEB. The Govenor of Tak Province,mayer of Umphang area, commander of Task Force-34. NGO leaders,KRC(Karen Refugee Committee) and UNHCR representatives met today and have decided to relocate all the old and new refugees from the existing camps in this area. The camps are no longer safe and there is not adequate protection for the refugees available. Exactly where they will be relocated has not yet been definitely decided since the safety of all the camps changes on a daily basis. It is estimated there are 20,000 refugees needing to be moved.
　　　There are still many refugees trapped behind enemy lines that could not escape ahead of the advancing troop. There peoples are now hiding in the jungle fearing they will be caught by SLORC troops. Many refugees that have been captured in the past that have managed to escape bring back stories of horrible atrocities commited against them. Some of them have been used as porters, forced to carry very heavy loads on their heads and backs.Some are sent ahead of the SLORC troops as human mine sweeps. Women are very often repeatedly raped and abused.
　　　Shoklo refugee camp will relocate to Maela and DonPakiang refugees will go to HwayKalok camp. HwayKalok camp was over 80% burned by SLORC and DKBA troops on January 28th.
　　　Between 7:00-9:30 AM on February 17, Karen refugees from HuayKaLoke refugee camp in Thailand staged a demonstration standing in a smouldering hot field following the burning of houses by the SLORC and DKBA. Sadly, over 1400 houses, that used to house more than 7000 refugees, have been burnt down due to these border incursions recently. More than 1000 refugees holding posters painted with slogans marched from their various burnt wards and gathered at a location that was clear of the smouldering remains of their homes, in order to participate in the demonstration. Some wrote the slogans on half burnt corrugated iron sheets and laid them at the front of the crowd.
　　　Refugee Camp leaders delivered speeches concerning the lack of human rights for these refugees, after taking position on a makeshift stage, and raised banners stating their pleas to Royal Thai Goverment for improved security for the refugees. The banners also condemned the SLORC for its aggression against innocent civilians on Thai soil, and the SLORC's military offensive which resulted further influx of refugees in Thai soil. The slogans are described below. "The demonstrations were not instigated by KNU officials and we,ourselves are just asking for improved security conditions for the refugees and have disclosed this to the international community in order to prevent the deterioration of the situation for these Karen fefugees on Thailand-Burma border," said refugee camp leader. "This is the very first demonstration held by Karen refugees" said another camp leader. "we hope that there will be further demonstrations in future if our rights are not respected," said a young refugee.
　　　SLORC and DKBA have been repeatedly threatening refugees by circulating warming letters about re-commencing further attacks in the near future.
　THE SLOGANS CONTAINED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENSTS AND PLEAS;
* Long live their majesties the King and Queen of Thailand.
* We are genuine Karen refugees temporarily living in Thailand. We thank
　the Thai authorities for letting us stay in Thailand.
* The action to destroy our fefugee camp is the plan of the SLORC military
　goverment.
* We request the Thai authorities to protect us.
* We request the Thai Buddhist leadership to meet with the SLORC and DKBA
　leader to not send their soldiers to attack us again.
* We request world Buddhist organisations to take strong action against
　SLORC and DKBA for this action of burning out refugee camps.
* We request Thai authorities and ASEAN to reconsider their Constructive
　Engagement policy with SLORC.
* We request Thai authorities not to forcibly repatriate us.
* We request Thai goverment assistance for the rebuilding of our refugee
　camps at a new secure location.
* Our homes are burned but our hearts are on fire.
* We are human beings, not animals.
* SLORC is killing our people.
* SLORC kill us even in Thailand.
* SLORC set fire our villages in Thailand.
* Karen refugees are human beings.
* ASEAN, Don't turn a blind eye to refugee rights.
* Buddha said not to kill us.

　　　Military situation update, from Mergui,Tavoy District,18/FEB.- from Northern District HQ of No-4 Brigade,KNLA. Slorc troops from Mergui arrived at Tavoy military area on 14th. In the taung Byauk area SLORC troops capture porters from all villages. Slorc troops continue to repair the old road that was used by Japanese troops in WW-2.
　　　A SLORC column from KweeWawWa (Aing Wine) village marched eastward to the Thai border. Noon, 16th, there was a skirmish with KNLA at ThetHkeeHta. Information has now been confirmed that SLORC will strike with 5 columns from all directions to destroy the KNU district HQ at HteeKee.
　　　On 16th and 17th, two skirmishes happened at KaNehKaw (PyaThaChaung) and Paundaw areas in the Paw Klo river valley area. SLORC confiscated villager's boats from Paw Klo (Ban Chaung) areas and sent supplies to HteeHpoLay and KweeWawWa where they are currently camped on the banks of the Tenasserim river.
　　　On 15th, SLORC division 55 arrived at Tavoy with 50 military vehicles. They brought mules along with the convoy.
　　　displaced villagers from KawWahKwee, HteeHpoLay and KweeWawWa arrived at KaSawWah. Accurate numbers are still not available but are estimated at 600-700. Some people from KaSawWah and KaMaHaw have already fled and arrived at HteeHta and Amoh.

　　　Military situation update, from Mergui,Tavoy District,19/FEB.- from Southern District HQ of No-4 Brigade,KNLA. On 16th, SLORC troops from NoTheyLar left for an offensive march to the east, it included two columns of troops. On 15th, Also another SLORC troop with 200men arrived at KaWuttHta and captured porters from there.
　　　On 17th, displaced villagers from HtawMaPyo and MinHtaingHkee close to the border of Thailand at Ratchaburi area were told by the Thai military to move to a point 5 Kms back from the border line. The reason for this is not clear since these people have stayed there for a long time.
　　　KaletKay, HteeHpolay and KanehKaw villages were burnt down by SLORC troops. Some plantations were also burnt. On 15th, (5) boats travelling on the river were shot at and two boats sunk. There were casualties but the number not known. There has been looting of villagers property and live stock from deserted villages.
　　　A list of displaced persons is being collated and assistance sought from BBC (food) and MED (medicine). The list of displaced persons is still as reported on the first update.

　　　The facts regarding the SLORC's offensive in Mergui,Tavoy.20/FEB.
−Name of operation: Thu Ra
−Chief Commanding officer: Brigader Gen. Thi Ha Thu Ra Sit Maung
−Vice Chief Commanding officer: Colonel. Thu Ra Maung Ni
−Field commander(1st command): Lt Colonel. Than Win
−Field commander(2nd command): Lt Col. Saw Hla Min
−Field commander(3rd command): no name known
−Designated battalions: IB 224,262,267,273,280,025,104,017,101,103
　　　　　　　　　　　　LIB 265,342,358,431,432,401,406
−Area designated: -Tavoy,TaungThoneLone,Heinda,Paundaw,Mytta,K'letKi,
　　　　　　　　　　　　　KweeWawWa,Peh,PaLaukNanThila and KyaukLoneGyi.
−Reinforcement: Supply Unit 924, Field engineers 904,
　　　　　　　　　Construction engineers 965, Artillery Unit 324,
　　　　　　　　　Field intelligence 019, Medical Unit 005/100,
　　　　　　　　　Communication 008, Field engineers (navy) 906,
　　　　　　　　　and more Mine detectors and trackers unit,etc.
　　　It has been reported that Division 55 has left from Tavoy and has spread out to the front line. On 15th February, they arrived from Ye with about 50 trucks along with mules and horses.

　　　Fighting news update from Brigade-7,21/FEB. On 4th Feb, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 257, A Colomn was attacked by our troops with 7 Claymore (anti-personnel) mines between HteetGhawTaw and YeaKyaw. There were reported 7 enemy dead and 6 wounded. without no any KNLA casualties. On 14th, our anti-personnel pressure mines exploded at PuLuHta area completely serving the leg of 1 DKBA soldier.
　　　On 15th, another mine exploded at PawHpaHta. A DKBA unit #555 soldier had his leg blown off. On 16th, another mine exploded at PuLuHta area wounding 1 DKBA man.
　　　On 18th, a DKBA man, Maung Shwe Aye, from 555 came uphill at PuLaMu hill shooting onto Thai side of Border with small arms fire.

　　　Fighting news update from Brigade-6,21/FEB. Being trapped behind the enemy line and facing hunger for two days, a number of 500 refugees in the area safely arrived on Thai soil on February 18,1997. According to these escapees, many villagers were still trapped inside Burma and were hiding in the deep jungle. These villagers were lack of food for more than 4 days now. Some villagers while hiding in the jungle were found by the Slorc troops and were sent back to their villages where they were vulnerable to Slorc's persecution.
　　　A company of eighty soldiers from KNU No. 16 Battalion that recently defected to the Slorc had returned and joined hands again with their troops on February 19,1997.

　　　Fighting news update from Brigade-4,21/FEB. 2274 families with a total number of 11877 people were homeless and scattered in the deep Mergui-Tavoy jungle due to the Slorc's major offensive launched against the KNU..Many of these villagers could not make their way out to safety to Thailand yet but were hiding in the deep jungle. Those who were caught while hiding received a severe punishment from the Slorc troops. Young childeren and old people were killed, men were forced as porters and women were raped infront of the family.
　　　Since the beginning of the offensive, 14 skirmishes occured between the Slorc troops and the KNU troops which the Slorc side suffered 132 casualities and 7 from the KNU side.

　　　Fighting news update from Brigade-3,22/FEB. On 16th Feb, our troops engaged with DKBA and SLORC soldiers LIR 264 at ToeTaDar road. On the same day, our troops engaged with LIR 264 and DKBA between KawThaSay and Baw Gahta villages.
　　　We captured a driver and many ammunition and gun, driver was released later. One enemy soldier dead. after we set cars on fire and completely burned them.

　　　KNU Press release 2/97,22/FEB. -REGARDING THE 1997 SLORC OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE KNU
　　　The SLORC launched its general offensive against the KNU in Brig-6th area on the 8th of February 1997. Simultaneously, the SLORC launched an offensive against the KNU's Brig-4th area. The SLORC's Southern Command is led by Division Commander Thura Sit Maung, notorious for human rights abuse perpetrated against the civilian population in southern Burma. In this offensive, battalions from Light Infantry Divisions (LIDs)11,22,33,55,66,99 were deployed, having a combined strength of approximately 3,000 men, as well as the troops usually operating in the southern area.
　The battle front news from KNU 4th Brigade area is as follows,
* 8th of February, 1997:
　A clash between SLORC (Burmese army) troops and Karen National Liberation
　Army (KNLA) troops took place at Mu Hta Village. SLORC casualties are
　unknown.
* 9th of February, 1997:
　The KNLA attacked SLORC troops near Mae Plu Kho village in KNU 4th
　Brigade area. The battle began at 8:30 AM and lasted the whole day. In
　this clash, 9 SLORC soldiers were killed, including one major, and 15
　SLORC soldiers were injured.
* 10th of February, 1997:
　The KNLA ambushed SLORC soldiers at Kleh Gyu village. One SLORC soldier
　was killed and two SLORC soldiers were injured.
* 11th of February, 1997:
　The KNLA attacked the SLORC at Taung Thon Lone village. Casualty numbers
　are unknown. On the same day, KNLA soldiers ambushed SLORC soldiers at
　PoSe camp, near Maw Lo Kheh village. The SLORC retaliated using 20
　artillery shells. Casualties are as yet unknown.
* 13th of February, 1997:
　The KNLA ambushed SLORC troops at Yo Lay and Mae Moe Kay Klaw villages.
　The battle began at 7:30 AM and lasted the whole day, leaving the SLORC
　with 18 men wounded or dead. Three SLORC soldiers and seven porters fled
　the battle field. The SLORC soldiers tried to recapture the fleeing
　soldiers and porters, and then a new battle with the KNLA soldiers
　occurred. Three SLORC soldiers were killed in this battle. The run-away
　soldiers and porters were then executed by the commanding officers of the
　SLORC battalion.
* 15th of February, 1997:
　The SLORC soldiers attacked the KNLA forces at Kwee Wah Wah village at
　6:30 AM. One KNLA soldier was injured. SLORC casualties are unknown.
　Fighting broke out again at 11:30 AM and 20 SLORC soldiers were killed,
　including one officer. One KNLA soldier died and 5 were injured in this
　battle.
* 16th of February, 1997:
　Clashes broke out between KNLA and SLROC troops at a position between
　KweeWahWah, NyahPlahThu villages. SLORC casualties are unknown. KNLA
　troops suffered no casualties.
* 17th of February, 1997:
　The KNLA captured a boat carrying SLORC military supplies and 10 sacks
　of rice and other military rations were seized. On the Same day the KNLA
　attacked the SLORC soldiers at Maw Ma Pru mountain. SLORC casualties are
　unknown.
* 18th of February, 1997:
　A battle broke out again at Maw Ma Pru mountain at 9:00 AM, lasting the
　whole day and leaving the SLORC with 20 casualties. The KNLA then
　captured 10 SLORC Navy boats carrying supplies. On the same day the KNLA
　attacked the SLORC at TaNahP'Gaw Htah village and the SLORC suffered 20
　casualties in this battle.
* 19th of February, 1997:
　The KNLA attacked SLORC soldiers at K'Htaw Nee area. The SLORC suffered
　over 30 casualties.
　　　Currently all over the KNU's 4th Brigade area, sporadic fighting is continuing. The KNLA have had few casualties, yet injuries and deaths on the SLORC side have been high in number.
　For more information:
−Please contact Pado Mahn Shar at (66-55)561-040 or (66-55)561-062.

　　　KNU Press release 3/97,28/FEB. -REGARDING THE 1997 SLORC OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE KNU
　　　In addition to launching a major offensive against the KNU/KNLA 6th Brigade in Moulamein district and the 4th Brigade in Mergui-Tavoy district, the SLORC has been launching military offensives against the other KNLA brigades in the remaining KNU base areas. Reports on battles and the activities of the SLORC in the 2nd Brigade area in Toungoo and Pyinmana districts are as follows,
* On February 7,1997:
　The Southern Military Command (SMC) of the SLORC forcibly formed militia
　units in all Karen villages, on or near the Toungoo-Mawchi road, starting
　from the Toungoo 13th mile to Kawthedoe village.
* On February 11,1997:
　At 9 a.m. KNLA troops clashed with the SLORC troops from light Infantary
　Battalion (LIB) 354 at a location known as Patamangon.
　　　Starting from Feburary 14,1997, the SLORC's Southern Military Command (SMC) has been sending spies disguised as Buddhist monks to Bawgali, Kawthedoe, Thandaung, Leiktho, the 13th Mile and other Karen towns and villagers in Toungoo district.
* On February 16,1997:
　KNLA troops attacked SLOrRC troops building roads between Thakwisoe and
　Buklo villages.
* On February 19,1997:
　At 11 a.m, KNLA troops clashed with troops from SLORC LIB 354 near
　Yegando village in east Pyinmana district.
　−No casualty on KNLA side. Casualty on SLORC side still unknown.
* On February 20,1997:
　The SLORC's SMC reinforced its units in the hills, in the eastern part
　of Pyinmana district. Troops from Infantary Battalion (IB) 34 of the
　SLORC arrested Karens from hill villages in the eastern part of Tantabin
　township of Toungoo district, if they were found to be carrying food
　with them. They were released only on payment of 2,000 Kyat fine.
　　　SLORC IB 34 ordered four Karen villages of Shazeebo, Yeshan, Zeebyergon and Tawgoo to send 25 men per month to serve as porters for it. In addition, the troops forcibly demanded from 1,000 to 2,000 Kyats from each household. Sometimes, the enemy troops arbitrarily arrested the villagers and demanded 2,000 Kyats for release. At present, the SLORC IB 35 is moving among Karen villages in the hills in the easterm part of Tantabin township and ill-treating the villagers.