BOMBINGS IN TACHILEIK

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000637

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV
CDR PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2013
TAGS: PTER PINS BM
SUBJECT: BOMBINGS IN TACHILEIK

Classified By: COM CMartinez. Reason: 1.5 (d).


1. (C) Summary: No one has yet claimed responsibility for
the bombings in Tachileik on May 21, though the Burmese have
blamed the Shan State Army (South) and the Thai blame the Wa.
The good news is that Thai and Burmese police officers are
cooperating in the investigation, though it remains to be
seen whether either side will turn up enough evidence to pin
the case on the Wa, the Shan, or some other group. End
Summary.


2. (U) No one has yet claimed responsibility for four
bombings which left four people dead (two civilians and two
police) in the Thai/Burmese border town of Tachileik on May

21. According to Burmese police, the bombs went off at a
police station, a gas station, a power plant, and a monument
to King Bayinnaung, one of Burma's heroes in its wars with
Thailand. The Burmese have blamed Yawd Serk's Shan State
Army (South),while Thai Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit has
hinted that one faction of the Wa (led by United Wa State
party Chairman Pauk Yu Chan's youngest brother, Pauk Yu Hwa)
may be responsible. However, no one appears to have enough
hard evidence to pin blame on any particular group.


3. (U) The attacks came at the end of a month-long series of
bombings throughout Burma. Since April 15, bombings have
occured on a gas pipeline, in a cinema hall, at an
archealogical site in Pagan and in Tachileik. Altogether,
the attacks have killed five and wounded more than fifty
civilians. In addition, the government has outlined about 20
different incidents involving alleged assaults by Karen
National Union and Shan State Army (South) troops on
villagers in Karen and Shan States during the first four
months of 2003. These attacks and ambushes killed 33 people
(including 4 monks) and wounded 42, according to the
government.


4. (U) The KNU has accepted responsibility for the pipeline
bombings, but has denied involvement in any of the other
incidents. According to KNU General Secretary, Pado Man
Shah, the gas pipeline is a legitimate military target. The
Shan State Army (South) has denied responsibility for all the
attacks and has suggested that some of the attacks on
villagers may have been carried out by Burmese Army soldiers
dressed in SSA (South) uniforms.

Comment


5. (C) It will likely be some time before hard evidence is
available to implicate one or another group in these recent
bombings. It seems clear, however, that both the SSA (South)
and the KNU are moving towards unconventional tactics, out of
desperation or in response to Thai government efforts to
restrict their activities. As Chavalit has suggested,
narcotics may also play a role in the violence. In any case,
the good news is that the Burmese and the Thai police forces
are apparently cooperating in the investigation of the attack
in Tachileik. The two sides may reach different conclusions,
but at least they are sharing information, rather than
trading accusations, as is usually the case. End Comment.


6. (U) This cable was coordinated with Amembassy Bangkok.
Martinez