"Hundreds of Myanmar rebels flee battles with junta troops, cross into China" by Associated Press | August 31, 2009
MENG PENG, China - Hundreds of ethnic rebels have fled clashes in northeastern Myanmar, surrendering their weapons and uniforms to Chinese border police and crossing to safety after several days of skirmishes with Myanmar government troops.
The military junta in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, ended a news blackout about the clashes yesterday, saying three days of fighting had killed 26 government forces and at least eight rebels. It said the fighting had ended and “the region has now regained peace.’’
The United Nations and Chinese officials say up to 30,000 civilian refugees have streamed into China to escape the fighting, which broke out last week after hundreds of Myanmar soldiers moved into Kokang, a mostly ethnic Chinese region run by a local militia....
The clashes have strained China’s close relationship with Myanmar’s military junta and come at a particularly sensitive time - ahead of Oct. 1 celebrations to mark 60 years of communist rule.
Interesting: U.S. Using "Al-CIA-Duh" to Spoil Olympics
Coincidence?
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