ID :
42739
Tue, 01/27/2009 - 13:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/42739
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Myanmar to help Thailand on Rohingyas minority
BANGKOK, Jan 27 (TNA) - Myanmar's military leaders agreed to help Thailand to solve the problem of the Rohingya, an ethnic Muslim minority group from Myanmar, who risked uncertain passage on the high seas to seek work or asylum in the kingdom, according to Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara.
Gen. Songkitti, who has returned from Myanmar, said that he met Myanmar's Vice Chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and Army Chief Deputy Senior General Muang Aye and had discussed the Rohingya problem.
He said that Gen. Muang Mye had accepted Thailand's request to help address the Rohingya issue even though the Rohingya ethnic group was not on the official list of 120 ethnic minorities in Myanmar.
Initially, however, he indicated that Myanmar would cooperate by preventing the Rohingya from approaching Thai territory.
However, Gen Songkitti did not give further detail about the measures Myanmar would apply to solve the problem in the long term.
As for the overlapped boundaries problem and disputes along Thai and Myanmar border, Gen. Songkitti said both sides agreed that they were normal and not significant.
Both countries, the Thai Supreme Commander said, believed that such problems could be solved at talks contacted by local authorities of the two sides.
Thailand's Royal Thai Navy has been under criticism after international media reported claims that the Thai armed forces had mistreated the Rohingyas.
Gen. Songkitti earlier reiterated that the Thai navy had not committed any harsh or inhumane acts against Rohingyas who sought asylum in Thailand and did not otherwise violate their human rights.
The Thai military leader said that Thailand had treated the Rohingya according to international standards, but could not absorb the burden of the high cost of letting them take refuge in the country. (TNA)
Gen. Songkitti, who has returned from Myanmar, said that he met Myanmar's Vice Chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and Army Chief Deputy Senior General Muang Aye and had discussed the Rohingya problem.
He said that Gen. Muang Mye had accepted Thailand's request to help address the Rohingya issue even though the Rohingya ethnic group was not on the official list of 120 ethnic minorities in Myanmar.
Initially, however, he indicated that Myanmar would cooperate by preventing the Rohingya from approaching Thai territory.
However, Gen Songkitti did not give further detail about the measures Myanmar would apply to solve the problem in the long term.
As for the overlapped boundaries problem and disputes along Thai and Myanmar border, Gen. Songkitti said both sides agreed that they were normal and not significant.
Both countries, the Thai Supreme Commander said, believed that such problems could be solved at talks contacted by local authorities of the two sides.
Thailand's Royal Thai Navy has been under criticism after international media reported claims that the Thai armed forces had mistreated the Rohingyas.
Gen. Songkitti earlier reiterated that the Thai navy had not committed any harsh or inhumane acts against Rohingyas who sought asylum in Thailand and did not otherwise violate their human rights.
The Thai military leader said that Thailand had treated the Rohingya according to international standards, but could not absorb the burden of the high cost of letting them take refuge in the country. (TNA)
