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Burma's opium

king loses 30

men in fighting

BANGKOK: At least 30 guerrillas from the army of Burma's opium warlord Khun Sa have been killed in clashes as government troops advance into his heartland in northeastern Burma's Shan state, rebel sources said on Friday.

Burmese forces supported by fighters from Khun Sa's main opium-trade rivals from the Wa ethnic minority have captured a string of rebel outposts in sporadic fighting over the past two weeks, the sources said.

Casualites on the government side were not known.

Wa leaders rejected an appeal from Khun Sa for them not to support Burmese government troops in attacking him, the sources said.

"The Wa regional commander told us a few days ago that they have agreed with the Burmese to capture our positions within two weeks," an official in Khun Sa's rebel organisation army said.

"He also warned us to withdraw from our positions to minimise the loss of life," the official said.

Burma's military government has vowed to crush Khun Sa and his guerrilla force.-Reuter