Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi said on September 19 that the country pledged to restore peace, stability, and law in northern Rakhine state and invited the international community to cooperate for Myanmar's endeavors.
She made the remarks during a speech in Nay Pyi Taw, attended by 700 people, including 120 foreign diplomats.
Aung San Suu Kyi said the final report from an advisory commission, led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, contributed to bringing peace and development as well as resources to Rakhine, while highlighting the Government’s efforts to calm the situation.
She expressed concern over the number of Muslim people fleeing across the border to Bangladesh, saying that she wanted to find out the reason for this by listening to those fleeing and those who stay as well as by inviting the diplomatic community to address the issue.
The Annan report, which Suu Kyi repeatedly referenced in her speech, said a lack of citizenship for Rohingya Muslims, socio-economic challenges and police and military action were the root causes of the crisis.
The government has drafted a development plan for Rakhine to boost its development and create jobs via public – private partnerships, she added.
All people in Rakhine have access to education and healthcare services and the government is trying to promote religious harmony in the state, she said.
The Myanmar government is ready to start verifying refugees in Bangladesh for Myanmar citizenship at any time, as part of the refugee repatriation process in line with the 1993 agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar, she said, adding that verified refugees will be accepted and provided security and other humanitarian aid.
However, the process needs efforts from all communities.
In regards to relations with Bangladesh, Aung San Suu Kyi said the government wishes to enhance ties, hoping the Bangladeshi home minister would visit Myanmar to help handle security affairs in the border area.
According to the Government of Myanmar, more than 400,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since August 25, following insurgent attacks on government forces, which were followed by state-run security operations.-VNA
VNA
