Myanmar pledges to restore normalcy in Rakhine state
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.
Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi said on September19 that the country pledged to restore peace, stability, and law in northernRakhine state and invited the international community to cooperate forMyanmar's endeavors.
Shemade the remarks during a speech in Nay Pyi Taw, attended by 700 people,including 120 foreign diplomats.
AungSan Suu Kyi said the final report from an advisory commission, led by former UNSecretary-General Kofi Annan, contributed to bringing peace and development aswell as resources to Rakhine, while highlighting the Government’s efforts to calmthe situation.
Sheexpressed concern over the number of Muslim people fleeing across the border toBangladesh, saying that she wanted to find out the reason for this by listeningto those fleeing and those who stay as well as by inviting the diplomaticcommunity to address the issue.
TheAnnan report, which Suu Kyi repeatedly referenced in her speech, said a lack ofcitizenship for Rohingya Muslims, socio-economic challenges and police andmilitary action were the root causes of the crisis.
Thegovernment has drafted a development plan for Rakhine to boost its development andcreate jobs via public – private partnerships, she added.
Allpeople in Rakhine have access to education and healthcare services and thegovernment is trying to promote religious harmony in the state, she said.
The Myanmargovernment is ready to start verifying refugees in Bangladesh for Myanmarcitizenship at any time, as part of the refugee repatriation process in linewith the 1993 agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar, she said, adding that verifiedrefugees will be accepted and provided security and other humanitarian aid.
However, the process needs efforts from all communities.
Inregards to relations with Bangladesh, Aung San Suu Kyi said the government wishesto enhance ties, hoping the Bangladeshi home minister would visit Myanmar to helphandle security affairs in the border area.
Accordingto the Government of Myanmar, more than 400,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled toneighbouring Bangladesh since August 25, following insurgent attacks ongovernment forces, which were followed by state-run security operations.-VNA
Myanmar authorities on August 29 called on all ethnic groups to cooperate with the government to restore peace and stability in Rakhine after at least 110 people have been killed in clashes in the northwestern state since August 25.
At least 18,500 Rohingya in Rakhine state of Myanmar have fled into Bangladesh in the last six days since fighting broke out between government military and insurgents.
The Myanmar government on September 11 called on the international community to support its efforts to bring stability, peace and development to the northern Rakhine state.
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Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (Source: VNA) 
