Bangladesh Army Chief’s visit to Myanmar will play a positive role in resolving Rohingya crisis, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Wednesday.
“This will open a new channel of negotiation. I appreciate the move,” the minister told a press briefing.
The minister was responding to a question whether this visit would benefit Myanmar army, which is under pressure from the international community for its alleged crime against humanity.
Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed is scheduled to visit Myanmar in the first half of December on the invitation of the Myanmar army.
Myanmar Army plays a crucial role in policy making, so this visit would help us in resolving the problem, the minister noted.
Dr Momen termed Myanmar a friendly neighbouring country and said they expect solution to Rohingya crisis through negotiations.
However the minister admitted that Myanmar has been engaged in carrying out false propaganda against Bangladesh over the Rohingya repatriation issue.
When asked, whether such a country which is constantly lying against Bangladesh, should be treated as a friend, the minister skipped it.
About the relocation of Rohingyas to Bhasanchar, the minister said the government is ready for that.
“Whenever they will be ready, we will shift them. It will help removing congestion in the Cox’s Bazar camps. But we do not send any Rohingya to Bhasanchar against his or her will, “the minister said.
The minister said he is hopeful of resolving the crisis.
On the time frame he said, Thailand needed about 30 years to resolve refugee issue with Myanmar.
Dhaka and Naypyitaw have been fighting about repatriating more than one million refugees who fled a military crackdown in the northern Rakhine State of Myanmar and took shelter in southern Bangladeshi district of Cox's Bazar.
In reply to a query by local media, General Aziz on Sunday said, "the main objective of the visit would be to strengthen mutual cooperation between the armies of Bangladesh and Myanmar, including exchange of training,"
"We have good relations with Myanmar and I will be visiting the country as part of the process to further strengthen the relations, including exchange of training," he added.
