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PRESS RELEASE ON RESTORING ARAKAN P (r)



Subject: PRESS RELEASE ON RESTORING ARAKAN PAGODAS

	SLORC ACCUSED OF DESTROYING ANCIENT PAGODAS IN ARAKAN STATE
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				PRESS RELEASE
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							Date: March 26, 1997


The Arakan Students and Youths Congress has accused the State Law
and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) of destroying the largest
ancient pagoda in Arakan State in western Burma while claiming
that it has been attempting to restore the pagoda. 

In a statement issued in Bangkok by the All Arakan Students and
Youths Congress (AASYC) yesterday alleged that the SLORC has been
excavating Arakan's historic pagoda known as 'Koe Thaung' or
'90,000 Buddha Images'. 

The Congress is demanding the immediate cessation of the supposed
restoration work on the pagoda, and is calling on SLORC to stop
the destruction of other historic buildings and sites across the
State of Arakan which shares a border with Bangladesh.  

On February 18 of this year, SLORC leader General Than Shwe and
his entourage of ministers visited Mrauk U in Arakan and examined
the historic relics, ancient Buddha images and gold ornaments
excavated from the Koe Thaung Pagoda.

The pagoda was built by Arakan King Min Teikkha in the years
1553-1555. The pagoda is called 'Koe Thaung' according to the
number of Buddha images enshrined in the pagoda. The people in
Arakan believe that many precious artifacts, including images
made of gold, diamond and emerald, were enshrined in the pagoda
when it was built.

The Congress also blasted SLORC's military intelligence chief Lt.
General Khin Nyunt for confiscating five six-inch high emerald
Buddhas found in a ruined pagoda located in Pashit village in
Ponna Gyun township in April 1994. The organization also accused
SLORC officers of taking several ancient Buddha statues from
Okathalin Pagoda located in Paletwa township in Arakan.

Since SLORC assumed power through a bloody military coup in 1988,
the regime has been accused of destroying cultural and historic
sites, pagodas and buildings belonging to the members of ethnic
minorities. Some of the more significant destruction includes the
bulldozing of Keng Tung Palace in Shan State for the construction
of a luxury hotel.


Source: All Arakan Students and Youths Congress  (AASYC)

For further information contact the AASYC in Bangkok on 731 8768,
or the ABSDF on 300 0631.