SURA Drug Trafficking Terrorists and KNU Terrorists create problems on Myanmar-Yodaya Border to sow suspicion and create misunderstanding and dissension between the two countries.

[ 28-5-2002 ]

A regular press conference was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road here at 11 am today.

It was attended by Minister for Labour U Tin Win, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, high-ranking military officers, departmental heads, information officials, U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, Patron U Hla Htwe, President U Sao Kai Hpa and member correspondents of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club and guests.

As explained by Lt Col. Min Lwin at the meeting, the SURA drug trafficking terrorist gang, in conspiracy with certain Yodaya army troops, has been attacking Myanmar Army posts and 'Wa' posts in Special Region 2 in Shan State (North) since 20 May. They are continuing such acts of terror and violence to disturb the peace of the countryside and harass the people. They have been planting mines on public highways, shooting and killing innocent people and firing on passenger vehicles.

A group of SURA drug trafficking terrorists attacked the outlying areas of Mongtong with heavy weapons, on three separate days, 20 May, 22 May and 26 May to disrupt the peaceful life of the people. Similarly, they mined the Tachilek – Monghsat road as a result of which some vehicles travelling on it were damaged and some innocent passengers seriously injured. According to information received the mines planted on the road were delivered to the SURA drug traffickers who have an outpost in the town of Mong Phan by a Yodaya army truck round about November 2001.

In a broadcast at 7:30 p.m. on 26 May, the Channel 7 Yodaya TV station claimed that a group of about 30 'Wa' troops intruded about 1 kilometer into Yodaya territory and clashed with Yodaya troops near Mu Wan Na village in Chiangmai District. The skirmish lasted about 30 minutes after which they said the 'Wa' troops withdrew. The place where the incident took place is one that is occupied by the SURA drug trafficking terrorists within Yodaya territory. They are the ones who enter our country to make hit-and-run attacks to cause terror and disturb peace. At the same time it is also part of their tactics to engage in attacks on Yodaya territory in order to create misunderstanding between the two countries. They are deliberately trying to create border incidents.

Likewise the KNU terrorist group on 15 May 2002 attacked Min Letpan Village on the Myanmar-Thai border with heavy weapons fire. From the direction of Mae Kok Kin Village in Yodaya territory, they crossed the Thaung Yin River on the Myanmar-Thai border and attacked Min Letpan village and claimed falsely that they had peen able to seize stimulant drugs from the DKBA post. This false report, which was a plot deliberately plotted together by the KNU and Yodaya media was given wide coverage by Yodaya news agencies. We have already briefed you on these incidents.

At 10 p.m. on 22 May a group of KNU terrorists fired on a DKBA outpost on the Myanmar-Thai border near Kokko Village in Myawaddy Township. They fired on the DKBA camp for 30 minutes from the Yodaya side of the Thaung Yin riverbanks. Again at 1:50 a.m. on 25 May, a group of KNU terrorists fired on the area around Mae Taw Thalay village in Myawaddy Township from the Yodaya side of the Thaungyin River. One civilian was killed in the attack. But while they were firing on Myanmar territory, sounds of shooting could be heard in two or three places within Yodaya territory.

According to a news broadcast of the Yodaya TV station ITV on 25 May, one rocket propelled grenade (RPG) fell and exploded on Tar Saing Lu Wat Village in Mae Sot District at about 1 a. m. as a result of which one woman was killed and 8 houses were destroyed. It also reported that a an unknown group had attacked a company outpost of Yodaya Army Batallion 13 stationed at Mao Ke Ward in Waw Lay Village Tract of Phot Pha Township, for 15 minutes. It said that in clearing up the area after the attack a cap with the KNU insignia and several empty shells were found.

The KNU terrorists, based on the Myanmar-Thai border in Yodaya territory have been entering Myanmar territory to commit acts of terror by attacking our villages and disrupting travel on the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Road by planting mines. At the same time the KNU are deliberately trying to sow seeds of doubt and misunderstanding and thus create problems between the two countries.

A review of the above incidents will show clearly that the SURA drug trafficking terrorists and the KNU terrorists are firmly based in Yodaya territory and from there, they make forays into our country to commit acts of violence. At the same time the two terrorists groups, the SURA and the KNU are orchestrating their attacks to make it appear as if some other group were responsible. So, they are deliberately creating situations to provoke misunderstandings and thus aggravate problems between the two countries.

Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Lt Col. Min Lwin replied to the queries raised by local and foreign journalists. The press conference concluded at 11.30 am.

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