B'desh deploys Naval ships as Myanmar starts exploration

Dhaka, Nov 3 (PTI) Bangladesh has deployed three Naval ships in disputed waters of Bay of Bengal after Myanmar reportedly defied a deal between the two countries and began oil exploration engaging four vessels with escorts of two of its navy ships.

The Defence Ministry, however, declined to confirm the
report, but the Daily Star newspaper quoting unidentified
sources said three Bangladeshi naval ships went to the scene
challenging Myanmar's exploration but the Yangon Navy
responded by alleging that the Bangladesh's ships trespassed.

The report came a day after Bangladesh summoned the
Myanmar envoy in Dhaka and handed over a strong note of
protest after Yangon intruded into disputed waters, claimed by
both the countries.

A foreign ministry spokesman Sunday night said foreign
secretary Touhid Hossain handed over Myanmar's Ambassador Phae
Thann Oo a strong protest note against the intrusion of
Myanmar vessels near the Bangladesh deep sea block 08-13.

The Myanmar envoy was asked to convey to his
government Dhaka's request to immediately suspend all
activities within the declared maritime zones of Bangladesh in
accordance with the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act
1974 of Bangladesh, the spokesman said.

The note categorically emphasised that the government
of Bangladesh reserves the right to protect its interests and
urged the government of Myanmar to ensure the withdrawal of
their marine vessels and stoppage of any exploration work
until the delimitation of maritime boundary between Bangladesh
and Myanmar is resolved, the spokesman added.

Earlier reports quoting unidentified foreign ministry
officials said Bangladesh rushed a naval patrol to the
disputed waters of the Bay of Bengal where Myanmar has begun
oil and gas exploration activities.

The reports said one Bangladesh Navy ship had reached
the spot and "seen off the Myanmar vessels" late Saturday, but
the vessels had returned on Sunday morning as Yangon engaged a
South Korean company for the exploration.

Quoting the foreign secretary the foreign ministry
statement, however, said: "There may be this sort of incident
between neighbours (but). We want that the dispute can be
resolved through dialogue as Bangladesh has very good
relations with Myanmar."

Officials said Myanmar has sent vessels and
exploration equipment along with engineers in past few days to
carry out the exploration works, some 60 nautical miles off
Saint Martin's Island.

Myanmar's oil and gas exploration bid in the disputed
territory comes at a time when the two next-door neighbours
are in a dialogue to demarcate their maritime boundary in the
Bay of Bengal, believed to be full of mineral resources.

The first round of talks in April had ended
inconclusively in Dhaka while both the sides agreed to
continue with the dialogue to reach a conclusion and meanwhile
refrain intruding into the disputed area for exploration.

During a recent visit of a leader of Myanmar's State
Peace and Development Council to Bangladesh in October, Yangon
had re-assured Dhaka that they would not carryout any gas
exploratory work in the disputed maritime boundary area until
the issue could be settled.

Bangladesh shares the Bay with India and Myanmar but
has not demarcated the sea territory with them and this is
creating disputes mainly in offshore oil and gas explorations.
Officials said none of the countries have so far
claimed their marine boundaries before the U.N. as both India
and Myanmar need to resolve their maritime boundary issues
with Bangladesh. PTI A.R.