THAILAND-MYANMAR BORDER: MEMBERS OF MYANMAR REBEL GROUP SHAN STATE ARMY ATTACK CONVOY CARRYING NARCOTICS

Record ID: 648248

  • Title: THAILAND-MYANMAR BORDER: MEMBERS OF MYANMAR REBEL GROUP SHAN STATE ARMY ATTACK CONVOY CARRYING NARCOTICS
  • Date: 8th August 2000
  • Summary: THAI-MYANMAR BORDER AREA (AUGUST 1, 2000) (REUTERS) 1. SV SHAN REBEL TAKING COVER DURING AMBUSH/AUDIO OF GUN FIRE 0.10 2. SV/SLV REBELS (2 SHOTS) 0.21 3. SLV DEAD MYANMAR GOVERNMENT SOLDIER BEING LIFTED UP OUT OF DITCH BY REBEL 0.23 4. SLV MORE OF REBELS 0.31 5. MV DEAD DRUG TRAFFICKER 0.32 6. SLV REBELS WALKING ON ROAD 0.36 7. SLV SHAN REBELS WALKING IN JUNGLE (2 SHOTS) 0.47 8. MV CAPTURED DRUGS ON DISPLAY 0.53 9. CU CLOSE UP OF NARCOTICS 1.04 10. SLV SHANS WITH CAPTURED AMPHETAMINES 1.11 11. MV MORE OF CAPTURED DRUGS ON DISPLAY 1.17 12. MV SHAN REBELS RESTING AFTER ATTACK/ MAN SPEAKING ON RADIO (4 SHOTS) 1.40 13. MV/SLV SHAN REBELS CROSSING RIVER (2 SHOTS) 1.56 14. BV REBELS ARRIVING IN VILLAGE 2.02 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 23rd August 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: THAILAND - MYANMAR BORDER
  • Country: Thailand
  • Reuters ID: LVA49JGT7HC9S82CO1IS1WOWFOX5
  • Story Text: Members of Myanmar's rebel group Shan State Army (SSA)
    have attacked a convoy carrying narcotics, killing two drug
    traffickers and one Myanmar government soldier. The attack
    happened a week ago on the Thailand-Myanmar border.



    Rebel guerrilla fighters from the Shan State Army
    (SSA) ambushed a small convoy carrying about 130,000
    amphetamine tablets on August 1, killing at least two drug
    traffickers and a Myanmar government soldier in a fierce
    exchange of gunfire.

    The convoy was believed to have been attacked in a
    deliberate ambush while passing through Shan territory
    controlled by a force loyal to Yod Suk, a maverick leader who
    continues to fight Myanmar government forces after the
    defection of opium warlord Khun Sa to the Yangon government
    side.

    Shans under Yod Suk's control were often accused of
    producing and trafficking illegal drugs in order to finance
    their struggle, but now the SSA claim to be trying to
    eradicate drug production in Shan state.

    The rebels accused Myanmar's ruling State Peace and
    Development Council (SPDC) of fuelling the rampant drugs trade
    in the region and hosting numerous makeshift drug laboratories
    in the remote jungle area along the border with Thailand.

    The Shan State Army (SSA) is one of the major armed
    rebel factions that has yet to agree a ceasefire with
    Myanmar's government. The SSA is believed to have at least
    4,000 well-armed soldiers under their command.

    They vowed to continue their military struggle and work
    in tandem with other opposition groups. However, they also
    remain sceptical about the policies of the opposition National
    League for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu
    Kyi.

    The border area between Thailand and Myanmar has long
    been famous for drugs trafficking. Many rebel groups fight for
    control of the lucrative drug business which accumulates
    millions of dollars in profits annually.

    jd/jr

  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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