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INFORMATION SHEET NO A- 0019



                                     INFORMATION SHEET
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NO A- 0019     				                                            DATE 9-2-97

	On the late afternoon of the 8th of February, a group of Pao
 nationals comprising mostly young women were seen coming in with 
a truck and this vehicle stopped for inspection at the customs and 
immigration post at the outskirt of Yangon before entering the city.

	During inspection at the customs and immigration post U Khin 
Maung (member of  Thaton Township, National League for 
Democracy) reported to the officer-in -charge at  the post that he was 
taking this Pao nationals to Yangon to perform cultural dances at 
Mrs.Aris?compound on the Union Day which falls on the 12th of 
February. It was later learnt that the Pao nationals become very angry 
after overhearing the conversation between U Khin Maung and the 
officer-in-charge at the post.  The Pao nationals then reported to the 
same officer-in-charge at the post that they were from Taung-Gyar 
village of  Thaton township (A city of Mon State).  They also said 
that some Pao farmers from the Taung-Gyar village was approached 
by U Khin Maung of Thaton township NLD.  They recounted that U 
Khin Maung has promised them that he will take a group of Pao maidens 
to Yangon for Pilgrimage and that all expenses will be free of charge.  
In return they were requested to perform a Pao national dance at one 
cultural performance show in Yangon.

	The Pao nationals also revealed that they were aware of the 
true situation only after overhearing U Khin Maung?s conversation at 
the post.  Thay  then realized that they were being tricked into 
performing  a dance at Mrs. Aris? compound on the Union Day and 
the pilgrimage tour being promised to them was a political exploitation 
in disguise.  The group then demanded to U Khin Maung to take them 
back to their township and left for Thaton on the 9th February.


Source: Myanmar Authority Concerned

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