Dhaka backs Arakan Army talks for nat’l interest, Rohingya rights

Dr. Khalilur Rahman

Dhaka, May 6 - Referring to engaging with the Arakan Army, National Security Adviser and High Representative to Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday said Bangladesh, as a sovereign state, would maintain communication with whoever it wants taking its own interest into consideration.

"We will speak to whoever we want for our own interests. It doesn't matter who said what," he said while responding to a question about the Myanmar military government's opinion on Bangladesh's contact with the Arakan Army.

He said they have formulated an independent foreign policy and are implementing it. "You are witnessing this."

Khalilur Rahman said Myanmar has identified the Arakan Army as a militant entity, and Myanmar is also communicating with them.

"One thing must be kept in mind. The Arakan Army controls the other side of the Bangladesh border. Bangladesh has to manage, protect, and keep this border peaceful," he said, stressing that they will keep in touch with whoever is on the other side.

Bangladesh has reiterated its position that it will not welcome new Rohingya arrival from Rakhine.

"Bangladesh is trying to prevent the new arrival of the Rohingya," he said.

Bangladesh wants to see Rohingyas at all levels of the new administration being formed in Arakan, Rahman said, sharing that they conveyed through the United Nations.

"If they (the Arakan Army) do not do that, then it will be a sign of ethnic cleansing, which we cannot support in any way. If the Arakan Army does not take this step, then it will be very difficult to continue talking to them," said the National Security Adviser.

He said there is no ambiguity here, the matter is black and white - either they are for ethnic cleansing or against it.

"We do not support such ethnic cleansing anywhere in the world. This is a test for the Arakan Army. We are waiting to see whether they can pass this test or not," Khalilur Rahman said.

The communication and understanding between the interim government and the military government of Myanmar also continued as a few days ago, Bangladesh provided assistance to Myanmar after the earthquake.

On March 15 in Dhaka, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Arakan Army is an entity with which he believes a “necessary dialogue must take place” but stressed that it would be “extremely difficult” to have an immediate “dignified return” of the Rohingya refugees amid heavy fighting between the Myanmar Army and Arakan Army.

“I think it is important to engage with the Arakan Army in order for full respect of the rights of the Rohingya population in Rakhine,” he said.

Guterres said it is essential to increase the pressure of the international community and all the neighbours of Myanmar in order to guarantee that fighting ends and democracy is finally reestablished there. - UNB