US team due Tuesday for talks on Rohingyas

In this June 11 file photo, BGB officials inspect a boat carrying Rohingya people who fled the sectarian violence in Myanmar and crossed the Naf River into Teknaf. UNB, Dhaka

A US mission currently visiting the Rakhine state of Myanmar to see conditions of the Rohingyas in the post sectarian violence will arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday to discuss the US role in assisting the refugees.

Diplomatic sources said a fact-finding mission comprising four senior officials of the US Department of State went to Myanmar on September 8 and are expected to pay a three-day visit to Dhaka and Cox's Bazar.

They are: Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Joseph Y Yun, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Ms Alyssa Ayres, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Kelly Clements, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Daniel Baer.

The team will hold talks with government officials and representatives of international organisations regarding the role of the US in helping improve the living conditions of the Rohingya refugees.

According to the programme schedule, US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan W Mozena will also accompany the visiting team during their inspection at the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.

Sources said the US team has discussed with Burmese government officials how to ensure long-term peace, security and humanitarian aid for the Rohingya population.

Besides, the mission intends to discuss the issue with diplomats of various countries to seek their suggestions for an effective solution to the Rohingya problems, foreign ministry sources said earlier.

In June, Rohingya Muslims were attacked by the Arakanese and Myanmarese Buddhists in the Rakhine state on the western Myanmar frontier. Officially, 80 people were killed, mostly Rohingyas, while 70,000 people were left homeless.

Countless Rohingya Muslims attempted to enter Bangladesh to escape persecution but most of them were pushed back by the Border Guard Bangladesh.

Source : The Daily Star.