Editorial
Obama's concern shared
His counsel to Myanmar commendable
NEWS from yesterday has it that US President Obama supported Myanmar President TheinSein's drive for reforms in Myanmar but emphasised that violence against ethnic Muslim minority must stop. The inclusive and farsighted approach of President Obama to the problems of Myanmar should be considered favourably by the Myanmar authorities. In this pro-democracy leader and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi can play a catalytic role.
While Myanmar President TheinSein is taking initiatives to create a more inclusive national identity, President Obama expressed his support towards this development and mentioned that the US will offer support if Myanmar persists in pursuing the agenda. This stand of President Obama is certainly a commendable one.
As Bangladesh shares border with Myanmar and our nation has been at the receiving end of Rohingya refugees, we do have shared concerns to address. We think that citizenship rights that were forfeited decades ago from the Muslim minority community should be restored to them and the process of inclusiveness should start here and now. The ethnic conflict between Muslims and Buddhist communities could only be brought to an end to the State's robust protection of the minority community.
As more economical and social transformations take place in Myanmar, Bangladesh can play a significant role as a neighbouring country to try and build a mutually respectful and beneficial relationship which will resolve some of the issues that have arisen in the past.
Given Myanmar's resource base, Bangladesh can work as a partner in progress through utalisation of complementarities in each others' economy. We are keen on close ties with Myanmar.
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