RANGOON, JUNE 5, REUTER — Burma said on Sunday that foreigners were giving weapons training to separatist Karen guerrillas in border areas near Thailand.
The official news agency of Burma said the foreigners, whose names and nationalities Were not mentioned, had been training the rebels to use portable rockets, landmines and other weapons at three guerrilla bases since 1984,
“Some foreigners continue to help the (Karen) insurgents in the use of mines and other weapons,” the agency said.
On May 28, guerrillas fired 2.75 inch rockets at Pa-An Town, killing two people and wounding 11 others, it said.
The report said troops clashed with the rebels on May 30 capturing a rocket launcher and small amount of ammunition.
‘French mercenary was killed and an Australian wounded in 4985 while operating with Karen rebels, whose struggle for autonomy from Rangoon dates from Burma’s independence in 1948 and is one of the world’s longest running guerrilla wars.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 10, 1988
