Burma-Bangladesh Tensions Raise Fears of New Restrictions
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By LAWI WENG |
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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Hundreds of people living near the Burma-Bangladesh border say they are worried that a new fence being built by the Burmese military will soon end their ability to travel freely in the area.
The purpose of the fence is to prevent Muslims from Bangladesh entering predominantly Buddhist Burma, according to Khaing Mrat Kyaw, an editor for Dhaka-based Narinjara News.
“Muslim people will be stuck soon as they won’t be able to travel to any country,” he said.
Until recently, there were about 200 people from the Burmese side who routinely went back and forth across the border every day, he added.
The Dhaka-based Daily Star reported on Tuesday that Burma started erecting fences along the 200-km border with Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged Prime Minster Gen Thein Sein of Burma to cooperate with international organizations to resolve the issue of Rohingya boat people fleeing from the sensitive Burma-Bangladesh border area.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, speaking at a dinner in honor of the visiting Burmese prime minister on Tuesday, also called for greater international cooperation.
“The global environment is changing, with a new administration in the US reviewing the global situation, and formulating its priorities and strategies in foreign policy for the next four years,” Lee said.
“We hope Myanmar [Burma] will seize this moment to take bolder steps towards national reconciliation and in engaging the international community,” he added.
At last year’s 7th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Burma was criticized for its resistance to offers of international aid for victims of Cyclone Nargis. Burma’s Deputy Defense Minister Maj-Gen Aye Myint attended the event.
Burma has reportedly rejected an invitation to attend this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue, which is a key event for defense and security diplomacy for the region, organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
 COMMENTS (9)
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Imperialism vs. Sinicization:
Poles:
1. U.S and allies
2. Russia and vassal states
3. China
4. Japan-India-allies
5. West Europe and vassal states as above
Epicenter of the 21st century cold war is likely to be in / around Bangladesh.
We are well aware of it! |
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I agree with Tide. Why does it always have to be a racial or religious discrimination issue? The government also put monks in jail and shot them. No discrimination there.
We are angry. We want to remove the government. But, what's next? Civil war? Fighting among ethic groups/ religious groups? Are we still going to call them freedom fighters then? A clash within the people would require the military to remain dominant. Chaos would call for another coup. The vicious circle will never end.
Let's stop the anger. Let's start educating the people, even if it's not politics. Let's do what we can to empower the people. A government of the people, by the people, for the people will lead to disaster if people are divided, weak and uneducated. Let's build proper foundations for a long-lasting democratic nation. The government's also been hailing just that, but they've been doing the exact opposite. So, it's up to us. Stop blaming, start working.
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| In reality, Burmese Muslims in Rakhine State or in any other part of the country are aware that they are discriminated against not much by ordinary Burmese (any ethnic groups) but by those rich Muslims who treat themselves as upper class. The rich Muslims (many of them are Pakistani descendants) from the 24th Street in Yangon wouldn't care less about the poor Rohingya Muslims (Bangladeshi descendants) in Rakhine State or other poor Muslims (Indian or any descendants) in central Burma. Anyone who is interested in the issue should mingle with Muslim communities in Burma and they will learn the truth. Except for a handful of elites who have access to the regime, everyone in Burma is treated fairly and equally by leaving all in poverty. No one has political and civil rights. All students’ uprisings (62, 74, 88, 96) in Burma called for freedom for everyone and did not leave any ethnic or religious group out. Why do Karens only call for their own freedom? Why do Muslims only ask for their own amnesty? |
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| To Khalid BIn Walid: I strongly agree with you. |
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Khalid Bin Walid Wrote: |
19/03/2009 |
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The entire people of Bangladesh support the democratic people of Myanmar [Burma] who are facing daily abuse at the hands of this brutal regime. Why does America invade Iraq when it was better off before than today? If they want regime change they should change the regime of the Burmese junta. The junta is responsible for harming relations between the peace-loving people of Bangladesh and Burma who are brothers and friends, not just neighbors.
I urge the government of Bangladesh to take action against the Burmese junta and free our Burmese brothers from decades of oppression. Bangladesh and Burma are complementary countries; they should work together for the betterment of each other’s peoples.
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SY Alam Wrote: |
19/03/2009 |
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| Sorry, we don't have freedom of movement for a long time in Burma. Why do we need to worry about the construction of a fence now? It’s good for us if they can construct a big well [*Ed: wall?] between Bangladesh and Burma. We don't have any tensions about it. We will be happier if they let us move freely in the country. We just need freedom of movement inside Burma. Just recognize us as human beings as they are. Give us Rohingyas freedom of movement in our country. |
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Khin maung win Wrote: |
19/03/2009 |
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In my 54 years I have never seen a single person entering from Bangladesh. Why are they thinking that Bangladeshi people are entering Burma? Who would like to go to hell?
Today, the situation in Burma is worse than hell. We don't have tension at all. We very much welcome you if you can afford it. But please open the door for us to travel to Sittwe and Yangon [Rangoon], at least for medical purposes.
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J. Kohl Wrote: |
19/03/2009 |
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| The Myanmar [Burmese] fascist junta is erecting a fence to isolate Burmese Muslims and democratic activists. Before the fence many Burmese, especially Rohingya and Buddhist monks entered Bangladesh to visit their relatives who fled persecution. After the fence is constructed the junta will be able to pick off the helpless Burmese one by one in a controlled environment similar to Gaza. |
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S. Hussein Wrote: |
19/03/2009 |
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| The purpose of the fence is not to prevent Muslims from Bangladesh entering predominantly Buddhist Burma, but to further isolate the Rohingyas in Arakan. Arakan is currently an open prison. SPDC is now trying to make it a real prison so that their genocidal operation against Rohingya people will be more effective. |
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