E/CN.4/1995/91/Add.1 page 50 36. As mentioned above, the Government has been assisting and making necessary arrangements for the promotion and propagation of the Islamic faith in accordance with rules and regulations. There exists no torture or religious intolerance in Myanmar as alleged. The Government usually consults the five Islamic organizations in carrying out Islamic affairs. In view of this, it could be concluded that the allegations against the Myanmar Government of religious intolerance emanated from sources that bear ill-will against the State Law and Order Restoration Council. 37. By the same token, for the promotion and propagation of Hinduism, Hindu leaders are allowed to travel free of charge to carry out their religious duties. They are allowed to deliver sermons from the Myanmar Broadcasting Service on Deepawali celebrations. 38. Passports have been issued to leaders of the Christian faith and missionaries who had to travel abroad either to attend religious meetings or to hold religious jobs or to dependants accompanying them or to pay a visit. Altogether 852 applicants in such categories have been issued passports. 39. Moreover, the Government has issued entry visas into Myanmar to Christian priests and nuns and to missionaries, as well as to leaders of the Christian faith and devotees who wanted to visit Myanmar on religious grounds: (a) His Excellency Mgr. Alberto Tricario, Ambassador of the Holy See, was allowed to conduct a Mass at the Church of Saint Mary in Yangon. (b) Arrangements were made to obtain entry visas into Myanmar for His Excellency Mgr. Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, Chairman of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace from the Vatican, Italy, and his party. His Excellency and party called on the Minister for Home and Religious Affairs as well as the Minister for Trade to discuss religious affairs. His Excellency and party paid homage to the Shwe Dagon Pagoda and made a donation of 5,000 kyats. His Excellency also called on members of the Order of Sanghas, led by Vice-Chairman Reverend Bandanta Thawbita. His Excellency and party led the Mass service at the Church of Saint Mary in Yangon and also gave blessings to 500 children. His Excellency laid the foundation stones for new churches at Nanthagene, Insein. (c) His Excellency Mgr. Claudio Maria Celli, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Vatican, Rome, and party applied for entry visas into Myanmar while they were touring South-East Asia. They were welcomed by the Myanmar authorities. U Kyaw Aye, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs, received His Excellency and party, and together they discussed religious affairs cordially. (d) Similarly, His Excellency Mgr. Luigi Bressen, Ambassador of the Holy See, and party were issued visas on their business trip to Myanmar. His Excellency was received by the Minister for Religious Affairs, with whom he had cordial talks on religious affairs. His Excellency was seen off at the airport by the Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs.