BURMESE JUNTA MOUNTS OFFENSIVE

BANGKOK, Thailand, Dec. 18 (UPI) - Burma's ruling junta is planning
to launch an intensive dry season offensive against die-hard ethnic
minority rebels along the Thai border.

The Bangkok Post today quotes senior Thai army officers as saying
Rangoon's troops were being deployed in large numbers in an effort to
wipe out the last remnants of rebel armies from the ethnic Karen, Wa
and Shan ethnic minorities.

The Thai Third Army Region commander, Lt. Gen. Sommai Vichavorn
(``Som-mai WEE- cha-wohn'') predicts the fighting will be intense as
Rangoon soldiers concentrate their blitz on the Karen National Union,
which is regarded as the strongest rebel fighting force holding out
against Burma's ruling junta.

Burmese forces are also expected to mount heavy offenses against the
United Wa State Army and the Shan State Army, which, like the Karens,
have been fighting for autonomy from Rangoon since the 1960s.

Sommai says the Thai army will reinforce its positions along the
borders of Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Tak provinces to ensure the
fighting does not spill over into Thailand.

Shan rebel leaders, meanwhile, vowed to carry on their autonomy fight
without relying on financing from the opium trade.

The Shan rebel movement was previously dominated by opium warlord Khun
Sa, who surrendered to Rangoon authorities several years ago and is
currently believed to be in private business in Rangoon.

The United States has demanded that Khun Sa, alias Chiang Shee Fu, be
extradited to the U.S. on drug-trafficking charges and has accused the
Burmese military of cooperating with narcotics dealers.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady