Information Sheet NO-A-0050

[OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx]

                           Information  Sheet
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NO-A-0050 							DATE. 28-5-97

(I)		Rumours seems to be working its way to again create 
misunderstanding between Islamic and the Buddhist faith not only 
inside Myanmar but outside the country as well.

		In Yangon at Kamayut township there is a Buddhist, 
Christian, Hindu and Islamic cemetery all located in one area.This 
cemetery in the olden days used to be at the outskirts of the city 
but today it is in the heart of the capital.The cemetery area was not 
properly maintained and squatters were living there while trash from 
the vicinity were dumped in this grounds.

		To remedy the situation the government has allocated new 
burial grounds for all religions and is also constructing a new 
orphanage for the (100) orphans currently staying at a religious 
edifice in the cemetery grounds.The orphans will eventually move 
to a new facility when the construction works are finished in their 
(100'x100') compound.This new compound has been donated to 
the orphanage and the Yangon City Development Committee is 
taking the responsibility for construction of a new building in that 
donated compound.

		It is learnt that, the Kyandaw cemetery grounds has been 
cleared up and will be turned into a " Multi Religion Square" 
where all religions will have the role to establish objects of landmark. 
This former cemetery will not be used for any other purpose but 
only for a Multi Religion Square where the (4) relegions will establish 
objects of landmark in designated areas. Also the (14) families living 
in the religious edifice on the Kyandaw grounds were given 
appropriate monetary assistance and each family was given a 
(40'x.60') free plot of land to build new houses and appropriate 
compensation were also given for the existing buildings on the 
cemetery grounds. 	Before implementing this project relevant 
authorities from all religions involved were invited to have 
discussion and implementation took place after consent from all 
were reached. The concerning foreign Ambassadors in Yangon and 
Myanmar Ambassadors abroad have been informed of the situation 
by the relevant authorities so that the project and its objective can 
be fully appreciated while all negative rumours created to bring 
misunderstanding among religions be effectively pushed away.

(II)		On the 17th. of May in Mong-Pyat Township (Southern 
Shan State) a clash took place between drug traffickers and a 
government patrol. It is learnt that (2) traffickers were caught dead 
with (6) AK- 47 rifles in the clash.The patrol discovered a number 
of paraphanelia in a hut hidden in the forest and also uncovered a 
hidden rocket propelled grenade launcher. After a further search 
(816.50 ) kilos of opium and (5)gallons of Sulphuric Acid were also 
found hidden in a small cave in the vicinity.

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