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Prisoners 'reprieved' for pagoda c



Subject: Prisoners 'reprieved' for  pagoda ceremony 


Tuesday, April 6, 1999 Published at 15:57 GMT 16:57 UK 
BBC

             World: Asia-Pacific

             Prisoners 'reprieved' for
             pagoda ceremony 

             The 2,500-year-old pagoda is a sacred Buddhist site 

             Leaders of Burma's opposition movement are reported to
             have been temporarily released from detention to attend
             a ceremony at a sacred Buddhist shrine. 

             The ceremony, to mark the restoration of the Shwedagon
             Pagoda in Rangoon, drew crowds numbering tens of
             thousands. 

             The detainees who were granted two-day passes out of
             prison reportedly include members of parliament from
             Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy. 

             "I am out here because we made a special request to
             the authorities," one MP was quoted as saying. 

             "For Buddhists, this is the event of a lifetime." 

             Burma's military government, has refused to recognise
             the NLD's 1990 election victory. 

             Jewellery donated 

             The decision to renovate the weather-worn temple, one of
             Buddhism's most sacred shrines, was taken last year
             after consultations with senior monks. 

             Huge crowds watched as the last tier of the ceremonial
             pagoda, made of gold, was winched onto the top of the
             shrine. 

             The shrine is said to date back 2,500 years. 

             Despite widespread poverty in Burma, thousands of
             people donated jewellery for the gold roof, which is said
             to weigh over two tonnes. 

             At the very top of the shrine is a 76 carat diamond,
             housed in a carved lotus bud and surrounded by
             thousands of gems. 

             State-run media portrayed the restoration of the shrine
             as a symbol of solidarity between government and
             people. 

             One newspaper said the brilliance of the shrine appeared
             to be "anointing and blessing the close camaraderie that
             exists between the rulers and their subjects." 

             Celebrations are expected to continue throughout the
             week.