By Frontier
Myanmar has criticised a United Nations Security Council
statement on the Rakhine State crisis, warning that it could jeopardise
negotiations with Bangladesh that are aimed at resolving the situation.
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| A view of Kutupalong refugee camp in southern Bangladesh. Photo: Steve Tickner |
The criticism was made by the Office of State Counsellor
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on November 7, a day after the 15-member council
unanimously adopted the formal statement.
The council move “ignores the fact that the issues facing
Myanmar and Bangladesh today can only be resolved bilaterally, in an amicable
manner, between two neighbouring states”, the State Counsellor’s Office said in
a statement.
The council had called on the Myanmar government “to
ensure no further excessive use of military force in Rakhine State, to restore
civilian administration and apply the rule of law, and to take immediate steps
to in accordance with their obligations and commitment to respect human
rights”.
The council also expressed “grave concern over reports of
human rights abuses and violations in Rakhine State, including by the Myanmar
security forces, in particular against persons belonging to the Rohingya
community”.
It said the exodus since late August of more than 600,000
people to Bangladesh to escape violence in northern Rakhine “has a
destabilizing impact on the region”.
In its response, the State Counsellor’s Office said the
council statement could “potentially and seriously harm the bilateral
negotiations between the two countries which have been proceeding smoothly and
expeditiously”.
Myanmar was in “in close negotiations with the Bangladesh
authorities on an arrangement for the return of displaced persons from Rakhine
State,” the office said.
It noted that the government had invited the Bangladeshi
foreign minister to Myanmar from November 16 to 18 and the intention was “to
reach an agreement satisfactory to both sides during the visit”.
The statement said Myanmar “appreciates the stand taken
by some members of the Security Council who upheld the principle of non-interference
in the internal affairs of sovereign countries”.
This was an apparent reference to China, which had
threatened to use its veto power on the council to block any resolution on
Rakhine, but was reported to have agreed to the formal statement following
negotiations with diplomats from Britain and France.
