THERE are growing signs that Burma's hardline rulers have decided to crush their opponents by force once and for all, laughing off sanctions imposed by the West and turning to China for military aid to defeat rebel groups. Last week saw fresh witness and medical evidence pointing to the use of crude chemical weapons against ethnic Karenni fighters near the border with Thailand. A Belgian photojournalist, Thierry Falise, brought out testimony from two Burmese deserters who were told to take special precautions because they were handling chemical shells. They described artillerymen wearing masks and gloves to fire the munitions.
The uncompromising stance of Than Shwe, the supreme leader, seems to have followed the fall from power of Khin Nyunt, head of military intelligence. He was seen as the architect of truces between Rangoon and the ethnic groups who have fought for self-rule since Burma won independence from Britain in 1948. Most accepted, but the few groups remaining defiant face a military campaign that seems to have moved to a new level of ruthlessness. Falise interviewed teenage deserters from the army's 112th light infantry battalion who said their unit was using chemical shells transported in crates bearing a stencilled skull and crossbones sign. Myo Min, 15, who was press-ganged into service, said: "Our friends who fired the shells told us they had to wear gloves and a mask and that every fourth shell contained chemicals. The officers told us not to run away because if we did we would be caught by the rebels, cut up and then be eaten with salt on bamboo sticks."
The shells fired on February 15 exploded with a burst of yellowish-brown vapour that claimed several victims among the fighters for the Karenni, who live along the border with Thailand. Three were examined six days later by a western doctor who described their chest pains, shortness of breath, swelling, burning eyes, itching, weakness, incontinence and disorientation. Two were covered in unexplained lesions and pustules, one victim's skin turned yellow, another passed bloody urine and all three suffered cramp-like abdominal pains. Western military attachés in Bangkok do not regard the case as proven but several believe that Than Shwe has given the green light to officers who have long argued for unyielding tactics against enemies of the junta. The rebels appear to have been fighting back, however. At least nine people were killed and dozens injured yesterday in three separate bomb attacks in Rangoon.
The regime appears to have adopted an equally tough approach to Suu Kyi, even though her peaceful campaign for democracy poses no military threat. The grip on the opposition leader has become unrelenting, according to exiled sources and diplomats in Rangoon. They say there are indications her resolve has come under enormous pressure in recent months, perhaps in an effort to force her into exile. |