Heads of Diplomatic Missions briefed on Yodaya's provision of refuge, support and assistance to armed insurgent groups from Myanmar
[ 7-6-2002 ]

  
Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win extends greetings at the press briefing on
conditions at Myanmar-Yodaya border to heads of foreign mission.

A briefing on the situation at the Myanmar-Yodaya border was held for the Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Yangon by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Wunzin Minyazar Hall of the ministry at 11.00 am today.

Present on the occasion were Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, senior officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Yangon Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham and other Heads of Missions.

  
Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win gives replies to the queries at the briefing.

Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win stated that Myanmar pays special attention to development of cordial ties with neighbouring countries.

In accordance with her policy of good-neighborliness, she has never allowed opposition groups from the neighbouring countries to operate from her territory. Indeed, if these armed groups opposing the neighbouring countries intrude into Myanmar, she has taken appropriate measures to drive them out.

  
Deputy Head of Department of the Ministry of Defence Lt-Col Si Thu gives replies to the queries at the briefing.

However, it can be seen that Yodaya has been providing refuge, support and assistance to the armed insurgent groups from Myanmar. Moreover, the events starting from 20 May 2002 clearly show that Yodaya troops were directly involved in the attacks by SURA opium trafficking terrorist groups against Myanmar outposts.

US Attaché Mr Karl E Wycoff raises queries at the briefing.	German Ambassador Dr Marius Hass raises queries at the briefing.

These actions by Yodaya constitute to a blatant violation of the norms of international law as well as the fundamental principles of the United Nations, the Deputy Minister said.

  
A map shown at the briefing on situation at Myanmar-Yodaya border to heads of diplomatic mission.

Heads of diplomatic mission view
documentary photos at the briefing.

Then, Deputy Head of Department of the Ministry of Defence Lt-Col Si Thu briefed on the current situation at the border and the attack launched by the Tatmadaw to recapture the Tatmadaw outposts and the people's militia camps which were lost as a result of the joint attack by the SURA drug trafficking terrorist group and Yodaya army on 20 May. 

Next, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Lt-Col Si Thu replied to queries raised by the Heads of Missions.

The Heads of Missions later viewed maps pinpointing the exact locations of the strongholds of SURA drug trafficking terrorist groups inside Yodaya, KNU bases under the guise of refugee camps and the camps of KNU/Yodaya army.

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