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Diplomats, Myanmar minister tour riot-torn areas in western Rakhine
Published on Tuesday, 06 November 2012 23:59
Ambassadors and Rakhine locals holding a meeting. (Photo-EMG)
Foreign diplomats together with the Myanmar border affairs minister made a three-day tour of violence-hit Rakhine State on November 3, according to news sources.
Union Minister Lt-Gen Thein Htay, US Ambassador Derek Mitchell, British Ambassador Andrew Heyn and Australian Ambassador Bronte Nadine Moules visited the riot-torn townships of Kyauktaw, Mrauk U, Minbya, Kyaukphyu and Maungdaw and the refugee camps as well as the local people and Bengali religious leaders.
They also held a meeting with the local people, Bengalis, and department officials at the state government’s office, and met members of political parties, who gave their views on the Rakhine conflict.
Lt Gen Thein Htay said arms and ammunitions were seized during the recent conflict to prevent further clashes between ethnic Rakine Buddhists and Bengalis.
The government would take steps to create rights and opportunities and meet the needs for both sides, he added.
He said that in the past, only Rakhine nationals lived in Rakhine State, but other races came there to residelive in the state later.
He pointed out that the government’s first priority is to ensure peace and to develop the education, health, social, transport and communications sectors of Rakhine State.
The minister and diplomats also held a separate meeting with members of political parties, who gave their views on the Rakhine conflict.