http://www.boston.com/dailynews/153/world/God_s_Army_twins_may_start_new:.shtml

God's Army twins may start new life in U.S.

By Associated Press, 6/2/2001 05:38

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) Johnny and Luther Htoo, twins who fought Myanmar troops as boys in the jungle, may be headed for a new life in the United States, a senior provincial official said Saturday.

The twins, now 15, their parents and followers of a rebel group known as God's Army have reportedly begun procedures for resettlement in the United States.

Phayakkaphan Phokaew, a district chief in Ratchaburi Province, about 60 miles west of Bangkok, said U.S. officials showed interest in accepting the refugees.

He said Thailand's interior ministry had asked the United States to accept the group.

''A representative of the U.S. Embassy came to interview 24 people the boys, their parents and other followers on May 11, and they will be interviewed a second time by U.S. immigration officials before a decision is made,'' said Phayakkaphan in a telephone interview.

The twins gained international attention in late 1999 when the Associated Press and AP Television News met with them in the jungles of Myanmar, also known as Burma. Gun-wielding Johnny and Luther exhibited traits of hardened soldiers and playful boys.

They had acquired near-legendary status as leaders of an offshoot of the Karen National Union, an ethnic minority insurgent group which has been battling the central Myanmar government for decades.

When Myanmar troops entered their village during a sweep of Karen areas about four years ago, Karen National Union soldiers reportedly fled while the twins rallied some locals and directed a successful counterattack.

After that, the twins' followers said the boys who are Christians had powers from God. Their followers believed bullets couldn't hit them and mines wouldn't explode under their feet.

Currently, the twins are living in a border patrol police base in Ratchaburi. They surrendered to Thai authorities in January after fleeing attacks by the Myanmar military.

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2001