Myanmar always makes the same claims: Acting foreign secretary

Acting Foreign Secretary Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khorshed Alam on Tuesday briefed foreign diplomats on the tension at the Myanmar border. UNB

Dhaka, Sept 20 - Bangladesh has conveyed its concerns over possible instability in the region to diplomats stationed in Dhaka – briefing them on the current situation in bordering areas with Myanmar.

The diplomats have appreciated Bangladesh’s position of not stepping into Myanmar’s traps by maintaining peace.

Acting Foreign Secretary Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khorshed Alam spoke to reporters at State guesthouse Padma, following the briefing with diplomats.

The briefing lasted for around 30 minutes.

The diplomats assured Bangladesh of conveying its concerns to their capitals.

Responding to a question regarding Myanmar blaming Arakan Army and ARSA for mortar shells landing in Bangladesh, the acting foreign secretary said the Myanmar side always makes the same claims.

“We sought their (diplomats) help so that Myanmar can’t take advantage of creating instability in the region,” said the acting foreign secretary.

Earlier on Monday, acting Foreign Secretary Rear Admiral (Rtd) Md. Khorshed Alam briefed the heads of missions from Southeast Asian countries and apprised them of the prevailing situation at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

The envoys took note of Bangladesh’s concerns and assured of duly conveying those to their respective capitals.

The acting foreign secretary conveyed Bangladesh’s deep concerns on the recent incidents of mortar shells from Myanmar falling and exploding inside Bangladesh territory, indiscriminate aerial firings, human fatalities and serious injuries, damages to the properties and livelihood of the people in the bordering areas to the ASEAN envoys.

No diplomat representing Myanmar was at the briefing but diplomats from other ASEAN countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – were present.

Director General (South East Asia wing) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Najmul Huda was also present.  - UNB