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Information Sheet A-0029
- Subject: Information Sheet A-0029
- From: OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 23:10:00
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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