United
Nations, Sept 21 (UNI) Informing world leaders that the violence, suffering and
mass displacement in Myanmar’s Rakhine province affected not just Muslim and
Rakhine communities, but also other minority groups – to which most of the
world has been oblivious – the country’s Vice-President has stressed his
Government’s deep concern over the situation. “There is no denying that this is
a problem of significant magnitude,” said U Henry Van Thio, the Vice-President
of Myanmar, addressing the UN General Assembly yesterday. “I am [however] happy
to inform you that the situation has improved. No armed clashes have been
reported since 5 September.” Noting that his Government is also concerned over
reports that the number of Muslims crossing into Bangladesh remains unabated,
the Vice-President said that the reason needed to be found for the exodus. What
is little known is that the great majority of the Muslim population decided to
remain in their villages, he stated according to the UN News Centre release.
Acknowledging that it is his Government’s “first and foremost” responsibility
to respond to the challenges in Rakhine province, he announced the adoption of
an integrated national strategy to address the situation there. Humanitarian
assistance also remains a top priority, said the Myanmar leader, adding that
the Government was committed to ensuring that aid was received by all those in
need, without discrimination. Further, noting that there has been a call for
the repatriation of the displaced people who fled northern Rakhine to
Bangladesh, the Vice-President recalled the Myanmar State Councillor’s
announcement on last Tuesday in which, according to him, she stated that
“Myanmar was prepared to start the verification process at anytime.” “Our two
neighbours have had the experience of such a process in 1993 through the
establishment of a joint working group for implementation of repatriation
process. We can develop a process based on the experience of 1993,” said the
Vice-President. “The recent events in Rakhine state are a painful reminder that
we face difficult challenges ahead on the long journey towards peace,
prosperity and democracy,” he added, and further recalled State Counsellor Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi’s first address to the General Assembly, in which she said:
“As part of this commitment, we have made the national reconciliation and peace
process our top priority. Our vision here is clear: to achieve a democratic,
federal Union, based on the principles of freedom, justice, equal rights and
self-determination.” Noting that his country has made real progress, he
expressed that his Government knew that the road ahead was “long and
convoluted.” “Our democratic transition is fragile. At this important juncture
in our nation's history, we only ask that the international community continues
to support our efforts to achieve peace, prosperity and democracy,” urged the
Vice-President of Myanmar. UNI
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World oblivious to suffering of other minorities in Rakhine: Myanmar VP Thio
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