Sep 17, 2008 (DVB), The Karen National Union has denied claims by the Burmese regime that it ordered the planting of three bombs in public places in Kyaukkyi township, Bago division.

According to the state-run New Light of Myanmar, two bombs exploded in a video lounge in Theindan ward in Kyaukkyi township on 11 September, killing two young people and wounding nine others.

A third device was reportedly disarmed at a grocery store in the same ward.

The newspaper reported that Saw Ya Ko, a former KNU private, had been arrested on 12 September and had confessed to planting the three devices.

The report said Saw Ya Ko had been tasked to carry out the attack by Pado Saw Nar of Kyaukkyi township KNU's administrative board.

KNU spokesperson David Takapaw said the regime was using underhand tactics to discredit the KNU.

"This is a deliberate attempt to discredit us with a set-up," Takapaw said.

"The main thing is, they are going to hold a general election in 2010 based on a constitution which was ratified forcibly with an unfair referendum," he said.

They created this [attack] to divert attention from their actions. There is a possibility of more of these kinds of set-ups and accusations."

Takapaw said it was unlikely that Saw Ya Ko would receive a fair trial.

"When someone appears in court, their relatives, the civilians, newspapers and reporters must be allowed to observe," he said.

"Now, it is not like that. They just give however many years in prison they want."

Reporting by Nan Kham Kaew