Mahmood meets Suu Kyi, discusses Rohingya repatriation issue

Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali and Myanmar's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi had a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday morning when they discussed various issues of mutual interests, including the crucial Rohingya repatriation issue.

Bangladesh and Myanmar are expected to sign an ‘Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State’ anytime soon if both sides can reach a consensus at political level.
 
The meeting that began at 10:00am (local time) at Suu Kyi's office lasted for 45 minutes, an official told UNB. 
 
Both sides are likely to brief the media at the ministry of state counsellor office at 2:00pm after signing of the instrument, another official told UNB.
 
Bangladesh in its senior officials meeting on Wednesday raised the issue of keeping a provision for a timeframe over completion of Rohingyas repatriation, said a senior official.
 
Bangladesh also sought involvement of the international community, including the UN agencies in verification process.
 
Myanmar did not meet full expectation of Bangladesh on timeframe of Rohingya repatriation as it agrees on starting time but not on ending point, a senior diplomat told the news agency.  ‘We’ve agreed on many things though our expectation is not met fully. It's not possible in any negotiations,’ he said wishing to remain unnamed. 
 
Another diplomat said Myanmar wants to start the repatriation within the next two months if the deal is signed. 
 
He said Bangladesh wants to end repatriation of Rohingyas by one year though Myanmar keeps it open-end one without giving specific timeframe for completion. 
 
On involvement of UN agencies in repatriation process, Myanmar shows a bit of soft position but nothing will be legally-binding one, the official said.
 
Bangladesh and Myanmar, however, agreed on formation of joint working group at foreign-secretary level to start the repatriation process of all the Rohingyas. 
 
‘We had a good discussion today (Wednesday). We hope to sign the deal tomorrow (Thursday). It's now at the final stage,’ foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali told UNB at hotel lobby after a meeting with Myanmar’s minister for state counsellor’s office Kyauw Tint Swe on Wednesday night. 
 
Foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque, Bangladesh ambassador to Yangon M Sufiur Rahman and representatives from home ministry and Prime Minister's Office also attended the meeting on Wednesday. 
 
Earlier, the foreign minister and the Myanmar’s minister for state counsellor’s office had a marathon meeting when they discussed various issues of bilateral interest, including the Rohingya issue.
 
Soon after the one-to-one lengthy meeting, the foreign minister attended the ministerial meeting on ‘Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State’.
 
Senior officials meeting was co-chaired by permanent secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs of Myanmar U Myint Thu and Bangladesh foreign secretary Md Shahidul Haque.
 
Union minister for the office of the state counsellor Kyaw Tint Swe hosted dinner in honour of the visiting foreign minister of Bangladesh at Shwe San Eain Hotel in the capital after the meetings.
 
US secretary of state Rex W Tillerson has said the United States will pursue accountability through US law, including possible targeted sanctions on Myanmar if the situation does not improve in Rakhine. 
 
‘After a careful and thorough analysis of available facts, it is clear that the situation in northern Rakhine state constitutes ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya,’ said the US secretary of state on Wednesday.
 
The international community is also watching the talks and its subsequent outcome as they want to see the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas as quickly as possible.
 
Amid mounting international pressure, Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday said they have planned to sign a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh this week which will enable them to start the repatriation process of all the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar.
 
‘What we're trying to do is to sign a MoU that will enable us to start the repatriation of all those refugees who've gone over the border,’ she told a crowded press conference at Myanmar International Convention Centre.
 
European Union high representative Federica Mogherini, earlier, expressed her hope that Bangladesh and Myanmar would reach a decision to sign a MoU and an agreement on safe repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
 
She said the EU was supporting this process and would stand ready to accompany this process in the coming week.
 
Over 622,000 Rohingyas have crossed the border and taken shelter in Cox's Bazar district since August 25.
 
Earlier, the foreign ministers of Asian and European countries, in general, agreed in many areas on Rohingya issue and asked for immediate cessation of hostilities, halting of outflow, early return of externally displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
 
They also asked for implementation of recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission for durable solutions.
 
Earlier in the morning, Bangladesh handed over an ambulance to Myanmar authorities for Rakhine State. 

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net