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Information Sheet A-0029



                          Information Sheet
                          ********************

A-0029						     Date 25 - 3 - 97


	Incident between Buddhist and Islamic faith

	At the beginning of this month an incident 
took place in Mandalay where a buddhist girl was 
molested by a moslem youth. However, this 
problem is known to be resolved between the two 
families concerned immediately after the incident 
took place. Nevertheless, it is very much regretful 
to learn that some elements who are bent on 
creating unrest in the country exploited the situation 
and managed to agitate some of the buddhist 
religious communities in Mandalay to attack moslem 
communities and some mosques. On the surface 
it seems like a religious clash but it is actually very 
much politically motivated. The anti-government 
groups are very much desparate to create instability 
in the country wherever or whenever possible. 
Although, this time if problems between the two 
religions can be successfully created they could 
very much produce misunderstanding between 
Myanmar and her ASEAN friends (especially with 
the Islamic nations) to derail Myanmar?s expected 
entry into the ASEAN.
		
	Unfortunately, before the curfew was imposed 
in some townships in Mandalay, a group of 
buddhist monks destroyed some personal belongings 
from some houses in certain moslem communities 
and attacked a few mosques. Also, in Yangon, 
monks were being agitated to attack some 
mosques.
		
	In order to maintain the prevalence of law and 
order in Mandalay and to protect the moslem 
community there, appropriate security measures as 
well as measures to prevent and bring better 
understanding between the two religions has been 
worked out by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. 
Also, in some other cities where agitators may 
target for their next move have taken preventive 
measures by the local authorities with the 
cooperation and coordination of the leaders of both 
religions residing in the area.
		
	Due to the disturbances there has been some 
minor damages inflicted upon some personal 
properties and mosques.It is also learnt that there 
has been no bloodshed or casualties resulting from 
the attacks and the current situation in Mandalay 
and Yangon is very much under control.

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