11.  A leading Burmese military official said Friday the government expects to hold peace talks with the Karen rebel group within the next few months.

12.  A presidential palace official said a meeting between the Burmese official and President Ramos has been tentatively scheduled on Friday.

13.  Abel said the government sent a team of Burmese officials to Tokyo for training with Daiwa Securities to lay the groundwork for the stock exchange.

14.  As part of the agreement, Burmese officials will go to Malaysia for training in various fields including diplomacy.

15.  At past news conferences, Burmese officials blamed the narcotics problem on the West, saying demand for drugs in Europe and America was the root cause.

16.  At past press conferences, Burmese officials blamed the narcotics problem on the West, saying demand for drugs in Europe and America was the root of the problem.

17.  Burmese military officials claimed Tuesday that the attack was launched from the Thai town of Mae Sai.

18.  Burmese military officials said the number of their casualties and troops involved in the operation would not be available until it was finished.

19.  Burmese officials note that hundreds of soldiers have been killed and thousands wounded over the years fighting drug traffickers in remote, mountainous jungles.

20.  Burmese officials said the embassy was trying to provoke an incident that would increase pressure in the U.S. for economic sanctions against Burma.