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by Karen National Union Information Center

　　　　- JUNE,1997 -

　　　ASEAN takes Burma to their membership, and Junta gets new-aid from Japan, 2/JUN.
Foreign Ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations meeting in Kualalumpur have agreed to grant early admission to its final three members: Burma,Cambodia,and Laos. ASEAN is made up of Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Vietnam. The three newly invited states will formally become members in July.
　　　On Washigton,The United States said it regretted the decision by Southeast Asian states to invite Burma to join their regional grouping. The president administration has pressed for isolation of the military junta in Burma until it stops repressing the pro-democratic opposition.
　　　On Tokyo, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto pledged 1/JUN,Sunday to keep a close eye on developments in Myanmar following a decision Saturday by the ASEAN to accept Myanmar(Burma),Cambodia and Laos as full members in July. "productive dialogue", It is ASEAN policy to invite Myanmar into the regional grouping and not to isolate it, Japan wants to closely follow (developments in Myanmar) so as not to turn its ASEAN membership into remission of the sins of the military government.- Hashimoto said.
　　　Anyway, the Japanese embassy in Rangoon said on 2/JUN, Japanese government grants fresh aid to Burma. - Japan, a major creditor of Burma, has granted a two billion yen ($17.2 million) loan to the Burmese military government. The loan brings Japan's total loans to Burma to 102.9 billion yen($884.4 million) over the past two decades, Japanese diplomatic sources said.

　　　KNU Press Release No.25/97,-Regarding 1997 SLORC offensive against the KNU, 3/JUN.　By military offensive, the SLORC has been destroying Karen villages and, in east of Shwe Gyin township, the SLORC is continuing its work of destruction as given below-
　　　The SLORC troops burnt down: In Sor-theh-kee village tract, 49 houses, making 494 persons homeless; in Ler-wah village tract 50 houses, making 304 persons homeless, in Su-mu-ta village tract, 25 houses, making 104 persons homeless; in Ko-phet village tract, 40 houses, making 131 persons homeless; in Tee-ba-lar village tract, 63 houses, making 267 persons homeless; in Meh-reh-kee village tract, 93 houses, making 438 persons homeless; Eighty families from Meh-reh-kee and Klor-ko-ger villages, and 32 families from Tee-ba-lar village tract were driven down to the plain areas.
　　　From 12 to 21 May, 1997, troops from SLORC IBs 57, 59 and 37 combined together and continued the work of destruction in northern Pa-pun district as given below-
　　　In Ler-mu-plaw village, the SLORC troops burnt down 55 houses, 83 farm huts, 55 rice barns and killed a large number of live-stock. The SLORC IB 548 looted 10 baskets of rice and 10,000 kyats from Tee-law-theet-ta, 25,000 kyats from Tee-theh-lay village and 2 buffaloes from Tee-tha-blu-ta village. In Baw-kyo-traw village area, villagers have to pay 1,000 kyats per family as porter fees.
　　　On 11-5-97, a DKBA commander, Saw Hla Dah, came to Par-klu village of Myawady township and forcibly collected 3,000 kyats per family as recruitment fees.Village elders Par Jer Po and two others were beaten severely as Lo-Baw and Do-thu-kee villages were late in paying the fees. The villagers had to pay an additional 400 kyats to DKBA Saw Mya Aung, as a fee for the work of beating. The three village elders were released on 18-8-97 and elder Par Jer Po could hardly walk because of the beating.

　　　Leading Burma Democrat dies in detention in Rangoon, 9/JUN.　A leading member of Burma's Opposition National League for Democracy has died in detention in Rangoon.
　　　Sixty-seven-year-old Tin Shwe was serving a 20-year sentence for his involvement in a pro-democracy demonstration in the early 1990s. The government said he died of heart failure, and had already been hospitalised twice this year. A lawyer and well-known writer, Tin Shwe was an NLD central committee member, and chief party organiser in its Mandalay division.
　　　Burma's military government, which never recognised the democrats landslide victory in the nation's last general elections in 1990, has been widely censured for its sentencing and treatment of political opponents.

　　　Some more battle news of KNLA in late May, 10/JUN.
on 13/May.(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu-Traw district) KNLA troops attacked LIB 57/59 at Htee-Hse-Hta. Two SLORC soldiers were injured. At the same day, a battle broke out between the KNLA troops and LIB (347) at Lay-Ghaw area. Casualties are unknown.
　　　(KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) At 1900 hours, a battle broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Ler-Klaw village. Also (KNLA No. (3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district, Ler Doh township) At 0830 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Kay Lo Der. One SLORC soldier was injured. (KNLA No. (2)Bri, Taungoo district) SLORC troops stepped o a KNLA mine at Hse-Day area. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.
　　　On 14/May.(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu-Traw district) LIB (48) stepped on a KNLA mine at Klo-Pae-Hta. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. (KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) At 1630 hours, a battle broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Htaw Pwar Lo Khee. One SLORC soldier was killed and two SLORC soldier were injured. KNLA troops suffered one dead. And (KNLA No. (5)Bri) KNLA troops ambushed SLORC troops at Kaw-Thaw-Thi. Casualties are unknown. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Po-Htee-Koe village too.
　　　On 15/May.(KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) LIR (230) stepped on three KNLA mines at Htee-Nyar-Lu-K'ser. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs. (KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Hse-Day area. One SLORC Captain lost his leg.
　　　On 16/May.(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district, Hsaw-Hte township) A clash broke out betweeen KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Nyar Mu Kwee. Two SLORC soldiers were injured. (KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Per-Mu-Plaw. One SLORC soldier was killed.
　　　On 17/May. (KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) LIB(51) stepped on a KNLA mine at Ta-Au-Khee. One SLORC soldier was killed and two SLORC soldiers were injured.
　　　On 18/May. (KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler-Lwe-Hto district, Hsaw-Hte township) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Mae-Roo-Khee. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.
　　　On 19/May. (KNLA No.(7)Bri, Paan district) At 0700 hours, a SLORC truck hit a mine at a position between Htee-Ghaw-Htaw and Wan-Kah and When they cleaning the area, they stepped on three KNLA mines. Three SLORC soldiers lost their legs. (KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu-Traw district) Three clashes broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Ta Kaw Kyo, Ner-Ghaw-Day and Htee-Thaw-Tu-Kyo.
　　　On 20/May. (KNLA No.(7)Bri, Paan district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at a position between Htee Wah Blaw and Htee Law Thee. The battle lasted (1)hour and half. 8 SLORC soldiers were killed and three SLORC soldiers were injured. (KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Hse-Day area. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. (KNLA No.(4)Bri, Merguie/Tavoy district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Kar-Mar. KNLA troops captured some weapons and ammo.
　　　On 22/May. (KNLA No.(4)Bri, Merguie/Tavoy district) LIR (342) stepped on two KNLA mines at Mu-Ka-Ra. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs. (KNLA No. (2)Bri, Taungoo district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC convoy at a position between Than-Taung-Way-Thaw (13 miles) and Than-Taung-Way-Law-Li. 6 SLORC soldiers were killed and 15 were injured.
　　　On 24/May. (KNLA No.(6)Bri, Doo-Playa district) A SLORC truck hit a KNLA mine at Ta-Ru-Paw. 6 SLORC soldiers were killed and another 6 SLORC soldiers were injured.
　　　On 25/May. (KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu-Traw district) Three clashes broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Htee-Hse-Hta and Lo-Taw-De. Two SLORC soldiers were killed and six SLORC soldiers were injured. At the same time, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Ler Wah Kyo. Two SLORC soldiers were injured. (KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) At 0645 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Naw-That-Der. One SLORC soldier was killed and three SLORC soldiers were injured. KNLA troops seized a Lieutenant Aung-Aung (From LIB(35) at Kaw-That-Der.
　　　On 26/May. (KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at a position between the Than-Taung-Way-Thaw (13 miles) and Ohn-Chit-Kone(18 miles). Three SLORC soldiers were injured. At 1700 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at a position between Pae-Kaw-Der and Kaw-Hoe-Der. One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured.
　　　On 27/May. (KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) At 1600 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Koe-Haw-Der. One SLORC soldier was killed. At 2000 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Hsar-Lu-Blaw-Day. One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured. (KNLA No.(4)Bri, Merguie/Tavoy district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Min-Htaik-Khee. Three SLORC soldiers were injured. (KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Noh-Kher. Casualties are unknown.
　　　On 28/May. (KNLA No.2)Bri, Taungoo district) Three clashes broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Sho Kho area. Two SLORC soldiers were killed and Three SLORC soldiers were injured.
　　　On 29/May. (KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) At 1700 hours, KNLA troops attacked LIB(29) with claymore at a position between Kyo-Waing and Pa-Ya-Yaw. Three SLORC soldiers were killed and three SLORC soldiers were injured. Including one lieutenant was injured. (KNLA No.(4)Bri, Merguie/Tavoy district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Ler-Pha-Doh village. Three SLORC soldiers were killed. KNLA suffered one dead.
　　　On 30/May. (KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) At 1000 hour, a clash broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Thu-Kho-K'ser-Tu. At 1500 housr, a battle broke out again at Thu-Kho. Two SLORC soldiers were killed and two SLORC soldiers were injured.
　　　On 31/May. (KNLA No.(4)Bri, Merguie/Tavoy district) At 1145 housr, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Wee-Hto-Ree. At 1000 hours, a clash broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Yae-Hsay. One SLORC soldier was injured. (KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at a position between the Htee-Pha-Doh-Hta and Kyo-Waing. One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured. (KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) At 0900 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at a position between Kaw-Thay-Der and Klay-Saw-Khee. Casualties are unknown.

　　　Skirmishes in MAY 1997, 24/JUN.　From 1/May.97 to 31/May.97, (75)clahses were broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops. (65)mines were exploded. (87)SLORC soldiers were killed , (104) SLORC soldiers were injured and (44) SLORC soldiers lost their legs. KNLA suffered (4) dead.

　　　KNU Press Release No.30/97,-Regarding 1997 SLORC offensive against the KNU, 26/JUN.　The SLORC is continuing to rain destruction and atrocities upon the Karen people in rural areas. The troops participating in the process are destroying villages, commiting murder, forcibly conscripting labor and forcing the relocation of villagers in many areas.
　　　On 10/June, a combined force of the SLORC troops and the DKBA, numbering about 20, attempted to attack Plaw-Par-Doh, a village near Umpang, Thailand. The group retreated without successs after firing a number of shots.
　　　On 13/June, a military column from the SLORC IB 93 arrived at Klaw-Ta village in Bilin township and shot at the villagers. They wounded one villager, ParTee-Kreh, age 42. The SLORC troops ransacked 42 houses and left with looted gold weighing about 180 grams.
　　　On 16/June, a 200 man column from the SLORC LID 44 forcibly relocated the people from the villages starting from Dor-Da-Lay to Ga-Mar-Hseh village in the Tha Ton township.
　　　On 16/June, the SLORC army units of IB 20, IB 26, IB 55, LIB 535 and other units which are conducting military operations in the Toungoo district, burnt down 26 houses and a school in Shoko village and 7 houses in Meh-Ker-Waw village. Troops from LIB 535 and IB 20 burnt down Maw-De-Doh, Boh-Kler-Ber and Bla-Kee villages. In addition, they seized villagers, including a large number of women and children. They were forced to carry supplies and ammunition to the front line camp of Ga-Maw-Doh. On 17, IB 55 burnt down Thay Ya Yu village.
　　　On 17/June, the SLORC troops from LIB 12 and DKBA troops from Bo-Chit-Thu faction shot up the villages of Tee-Wa-Plaw and Tee-Law-Theet-Kee of Hlaing-Bwe township, wounding four villagers seriously.
　　　On 22/June, troops from the SLORC LIB 12 confiscated 3 pigs, 10 chickens and 50 baskets of paddy from the villagers of Poo-Way village in Hlaing-Bwe township. Troops from SLORC IB 250 shot at a pregnant woman, Naw-TohKo of Gaw-Tha-Wa village, severing her leg. On the same day, the troops in a shooting spree killed an unknown Pa-O woman from Kya-Ga-Lay village and wounded Saw-WayToo of Kler-Doh village in the shoulder. The troops also seized a woman named Naw-YaBen with her one year old child. A man named Aung-Aung from Pine-Kyon village, together with his four friends, were subjected to torture by the SLORC troops before they were taken away. These six villagers and child are still under detention.


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