The New Nation - Internet Edition
Myanmar hurt at taking maritime boundary dispute to UN: Troops movement connected with election, says envoy
UNB, Dhaka
Myanmar is disappointed as Bangladesh decided to take the maritime boundary delimitation issue to arbitration at the United Nations instead of finding a negotiated settlement, but ruled out any military move over the dispute.
As India and Myanmar have started developing their offshore resources, the Bangladesh government opted for arbitration, Myanmar Ambassador in Dhaka Phae Thann OO told UNB in an exclusive interview at a time when reports are ripe about tensions on the Bangladesh-Myanmar frontier.
"So, when Bangladesh has decided to take the issue of delimitation of our maritime boundary to arbitration at the UN, we were a little (bit) disappointed. Why? The talks are progressing. Why do you have to go to the UN? That is our point. So leave alone this talk of military buildup," he said.
"But, what I mean to say, we have an open, ongoing bilateral process on the issue of delimitation-and it is progressing. We should continue it. Only when the process has been exhausted without providing a solution, should we go for arbitration. That is again my personal opinion," said the diplomat.
He noted with happiness that the two sides are still going to have the next round of technical-level meeting, in Dhaka, in November. "Neither country has abandoned the process," he said.
At the next talks, they plan to raise the point of their disappointments over Bangladesh's decision to go for arbitration while the bilateral talks are on, and "progressing".
"We don't think it is necessary to go for arbitration. But whether Bangladesh goes ahead with it or not will be up to them. They are within their rights to do so, and we respect that," Phae Thann OO said.
Amid the blowing wind of pessimism surrounding the rivalries over the share of the disputed part of the Bay of Bengal, the envoy of the military-ruled neighboring country struck a high note of optimism about an amicable solution. "
one day, we'll have a mutually agreed settlement," he said.
About press reports that Myanmar mobilised troops along the border as a showdown in the wake of Bangladesh's efforts to explore gas in the bay, he said, "We deny this; this is not true in the context it has been reported."
He informed that the military government in Myanmar is faced with many problems as it is preparing for the elections next year. "To hold proper elections, you need the prevalence of law and order, you need peace and tranquility. Sometimes, we need to move the troops around from this area to that."
Thann OO further pointed out that Myanmar has insurgents all along its border, with almost every neighboring country-on the Thai border, the Indian border. "And on the Bangladesh border, too, and one of them is among those who call themselves this RSO or whatsoever."
Again clarifying their position on the row over military movements, he referred to Bangladesh's national elections last year when the caretaker government had to prepare the voter list and it had to maintain law and order. "Our military government is doing the same thing. The military presence is needed, for these tasks. Civilians cannot do it alone."
About border fencing-another moot point in the current diplomatic qualm-Thann OO said it is well within an agreement signed in 1980 between Bangladesh and Myanmar governments, which states that no fencing, no construction at all, can take place within 150 feet of the zero point, that is, the demarcated border.
"The fences we are putting up are beyond that (range). The fences, too, cannot be erected by local people, we have to bring in the army, make use of our military engineers. All these things are in preparation for the election and the subsequent transfer of power."
Talking about Myanmar's foreign policy, he said it is very much like Bangladesh's. "We're a very, very small country. Our foreign policy is based on five principles of peaceful coexistence. We are like brothers and sisters. We have no intentions whatsoever, and want to settle everything peacefully at the negotiating table."
On Rohingya refugees, he said this is an unfortunate issue between the two countries. "The so-called 'Rohingyas', for you of coursetfor us, they are Bengali Muslims. Now, the way we see it, if they are our citizens, they will not run away from our country, and our government also would take care of them. Over the years, we have been repatriating many of them also."
Referring to Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni's recent visit, he said an agreement had been reached between her and their foreign minister that Bangladesh would provide them the latest, updated, list of the "Bengali Muslims".
"Then we would have to check whether they are really our citizens. The authorities in Myanmar will check the addresses and names, and other things to find out which ones are truly our citizens."
He said: Those who we find are our citizens we'll take them back, like we have done in the past. Recently, someone from your government notified me that they have already prepared the list. But we have not received it yet.
About bilateral cooperation, the Myanmarese diplomat appeared upbeat with regard to unlocking a vast potential through joint action and said that from Myanmar end, everything is on the table. "Every sector, you name it, holds potential for synergy between us."
The most important thing, he said, is road construction. "Once you have a road connecting Myanmar and Bangladesh, you can connect to our network. Then you can go up to Kunming, up to Bangkok, to Singapore, and of course, you can pass through Malaysia also.
"So the whole of Southeast Asia opens up to you. Then you can even go beyond Southeast Asia, and reach China, Korea, and even Japan!"
Wish they helped! I hate the AL, they suck with the whole Bangladesh defence thing.
