NCGUB Statement on 'Religious Riots

[maung@xxxxxxxxxxx]

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma 

Tel:(202)393-7342 (202)393-4312 fax:(202)393-7343 

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Press Release Press  Release Press Release 
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SLORC SOLELY TO BLAME FOR RELIGIOUS RIOTS IN BURMA 

History has shown that the Burmese generals are not above exploiting or 
instigating racial and religious riots whenever they feel they would 
serve their purpose.  In 1967, when there was critical rice shortage in 
Burma, the generals took advantage of the Red Guard movement in Burma - 
a spillover of the Cultural Revolution in China - to start an 
anti-Chinese riot.  The ensuing racial riots gave the generals enough 
time to cope with the rice shortage problem.  

Again, in 1988, when people were frustrated with the hardships in the 
country and were about to take to the streets to protest the 
conditions, the military tried to divert the attention away
from it and started an anti-Muslim campaign in different towns of Upper
Burma.  It was only because the people were wise to the scheme of the
generals that the movement for democracy prevailed.  

History is being repeated in Burma today. Buddhist monks and lay people 
were recently said to have attacked mosques over a reported rape case 
of a Buddhist woman by Muslim men and the generals are accusing 
"elements opposed to Burma's entry into the ASEAN" of masterminding the 
mosque attacks. 

Prior to the news being spread about the rape case, there have been
reports about SLORC's systematic looting of pagoda treasures at several
temples in Upper Burma and about the breaking open of the famous Maha
Myat Muni Buddha's statue in Mandalay to search for the legendary ruby -
the Padamya Myetshin - which supposedly brings war victories to those
who possess it.  Buddhists have already been angered by these reports
and it was indeed fortunate for the generals that a report about the
rape was very conveniently spread around.  

Whatever the excuses it may be giving, the military regime cannot deny 
that it is solely responsible for the current mob attacks on people of 
Islamic faith.  This is because the brutal generals have always been 
encouraging such acts by example. 

There are many documented incidents about the military destroying
mosques, churches and non-Buddhist religious icons in areas belonging to
the ethnic nationalities.  There has also been a systematic and
persistent effort, including the murder of preachers by the military
regime, to prevent the propagation of non-Buddhist religious teachings
in these areas.  

The National Coalition Government strongly condemns the
practices of religious persecution being pursued by the military regime. 
The diversion of the attention away from the true situation by creating
a religious riot and blaming it on the others is but an act of
desperation by the brutal generals whose days are numbered.  

The people of all nationalities, regardless of race or religion, are 
urged to show restraint and not to engage in acts that would destroy 
their unity.  They must stand as one in their struggle for democracy 
and not allow themselves to be misled by the generals. 









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