Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CHIANGMAI203
2007-12-28 04:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Chiang Mai
Cable title:
BURMESE ARMY POSSIBLY PREPARING FOR KAREN STATE OFFENSIVE
how-toVZCZCXRO0710 PP RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHCHI #0203 3620446 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P R 280446Z DEC 07 FM AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0631 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 0685
C O N F I D E N T I A L CHIANG MAI 000203
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL AND IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PREL PREF BM TH
SUBJECT: BURMESE ARMY POSSIBLY PREPARING FOR KAREN STATE OFFENSIVE
REF: A. A) RANGOON 1168 (INCREASED ACTIVITY IN KAREN STATE)
B. B) RANGOON 1103 (KNU'S RELUCTANT FIST)
CLASSIFIED BY: Alex Barrasso, Chief, Pol/Econ, Chiang Mai.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CHIANG MAI 000203
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL AND IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PREL PREF BM TH
SUBJECT: BURMESE ARMY POSSIBLY PREPARING FOR KAREN STATE OFFENSIVE
REF: A. A) RANGOON 1168 (INCREASED ACTIVITY IN KAREN STATE)
B. B) RANGOON 1103 (KNU'S RELUCTANT FIST)
CLASSIFIED BY: Alex Barrasso, Chief, Pol/Econ, Chiang Mai.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) The Burma Army (BA) is deploying more soldiers than usual
to Karen State in possible preparation for a new offensive,
according to Free Burma Rangers (FBR) and Karen National Union
(KNU) contacts. Normally, the BA maintains a 40-50-battalion
strong presence in the area with new units rotating in as old
ones are relieved. This year, however, units that were in Karen
State in November did not rotate out as new ones arrived.
Presently, there are over 80 BA battalions in northern Karen
State, according to both sources. FBR reports the battalions
are deployed as follows: Toungoo District, 23; Nyaunglebin
District, 33; Papun District, 28. On paper, a BA battalion is
supposed to have at least 800 troops although actual strength is
now often well below 50 percent of that.
2. (C) According to KNU Central Committee Member Isaac Po, the
BA troops' main tasks are accumulating rations and construction
of new roads. Po asserted that the roads under construction
will be used for logging and to resupply troops. He said that
Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA - the KNU's military wing)
troops have already destroyed five BA bulldozers involved in
road construction - two in southern Karen State and three in the
north, but noted the KNLA'S offensive capabilities remain
constrained due to limited supplies and reduced troop strength.
The BA has also built a new base on the border of Papun, Toungoo
and Nyaunglebin Districts, he said, speculating that the BA will
build up rations and supplies at this base that they may use in
a possible offensive.
3. (C) Comment: Though neither source reported any on-going
major BA attacks in Karen State, they pointed out that military
activity in Karen State has been unusually high recently, even
for the normally active dry season. Under increased
international pressure to begin a genuine dialogue, and with the
constitutional drafting process underway, the regime may feel
the need to eliminate remaining Karen resistance and may hope
that it can deliver a knockout blow against the KNU this time.
4. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassies Rangoon and
Bangkok.
MORROW
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL AND IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PREL PREF BM TH
SUBJECT: BURMESE ARMY POSSIBLY PREPARING FOR KAREN STATE OFFENSIVE
REF: A. A) RANGOON 1168 (INCREASED ACTIVITY IN KAREN STATE)
B. B) RANGOON 1103 (KNU'S RELUCTANT FIST)
CLASSIFIED BY: Alex Barrasso, Chief, Pol/Econ, Chiang Mai.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) The Burma Army (BA) is deploying more soldiers than usual
to Karen State in possible preparation for a new offensive,
according to Free Burma Rangers (FBR) and Karen National Union
(KNU) contacts. Normally, the BA maintains a 40-50-battalion
strong presence in the area with new units rotating in as old
ones are relieved. This year, however, units that were in Karen
State in November did not rotate out as new ones arrived.
Presently, there are over 80 BA battalions in northern Karen
State, according to both sources. FBR reports the battalions
are deployed as follows: Toungoo District, 23; Nyaunglebin
District, 33; Papun District, 28. On paper, a BA battalion is
supposed to have at least 800 troops although actual strength is
now often well below 50 percent of that.
2. (C) According to KNU Central Committee Member Isaac Po, the
BA troops' main tasks are accumulating rations and construction
of new roads. Po asserted that the roads under construction
will be used for logging and to resupply troops. He said that
Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA - the KNU's military wing)
troops have already destroyed five BA bulldozers involved in
road construction - two in southern Karen State and three in the
north, but noted the KNLA'S offensive capabilities remain
constrained due to limited supplies and reduced troop strength.
The BA has also built a new base on the border of Papun, Toungoo
and Nyaunglebin Districts, he said, speculating that the BA will
build up rations and supplies at this base that they may use in
a possible offensive.
3. (C) Comment: Though neither source reported any on-going
major BA attacks in Karen State, they pointed out that military
activity in Karen State has been unusually high recently, even
for the normally active dry season. Under increased
international pressure to begin a genuine dialogue, and with the
constitutional drafting process underway, the regime may feel
the need to eliminate remaining Karen resistance and may hope
that it can deliver a knockout blow against the KNU this time.
4. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassies Rangoon and
Bangkok.
MORROW