Thais put KNU under pressure
Posted on March 5, 2009
Filed Under Burma news, Karen news | Comments Off
KNLA soldiers on parade at their base in Karen State
Thailand is pressuring Karen military leaders to leave Thailand and return to Karen State in Burma.
The Irrawaddy is reporting that leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU) and its armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) are being told to stay in their own territory.
Many senior KNU leaders are based in Thailand, many in and around Mae Sot, while the KNLA also uses Mae Sot as a base on the Thai side of the border.
However, a KNU spokesman is quoted as saying, “Thai authorities gave a semi-official order stating that anyone who can give commands to KNLA battalions has to move from Thailand.”
The new policy appears to have been agreed at a meeting between Thai and Burmese border authorities in Myawaddy, on the other side of the border from Mae Sot.
The KNU spokesman also said Thai authorities were restricting movements by KNLA leaders to and from Mae Sot.
The Irrawaddy also reported that the Burmese army has reinforced its positions in Karen State, deploying more infantry battalions and a group of armoured personnel carriers. The moves come as the military prepares to launch offensives during the dry season against the KNLA.
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