Suu Kyi forms body for rehabilitation, dev work in Rakhine

Repatriation of those crossed into Bangladesh top priority, she says

Without mentioning the ongoing military crackdown in the Rakhine state or the minority Rohingya people, Myanmar de factor leader and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in a statement yesterday announced the formation of a ‘Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine’ to implement long-term durable and sustainable development work in the region. Stating that Myanmar needs to continue doing the things that needs to be done, Suu Kyi said that three main tasks have been prioritised by the government, which are -- repatriation of those who have crossed over to Bangladesh and providing humanitarian assistance effectively; resettlement and rehabilitation; and bringing development to the region and establishing durable peace, said the press release from the Myanmar State Counsellor Office.

She said that her government was negotiating with Bangladesh on the matter of accepting those who are now in Bangladesh and mentioned that since independence, Myanmar has twice successfully negotiated with Bangladesh on the same issue. “Based on these successful traditions, we are now negotiating for the third time,” said Suu Kyi. Regarding rehabilitation of people in Rakhine, the Myanmar leader mentioned names of very small national races such as Daing-net and Myo, but did not mention the Rohingyas, and said, “We need to work not only for those who will be returning from Bangladesh but also for the very small national races such as Daing-net and Myo as well as Rakhine Nationals and Hindus. We will work to ensure that they will regain their normalcy.”

State Counsellor Suu Kyi will act as the chairperson of the newly formed Union Enterprise, a mechanism which would allow the Union Government, the people, the private sector, local NGOs and CSOs, friendly countries, UN agencies, and INGOs to work together in cooperation, the statement said. Dr. Win Myat Aye, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will serve as Vice Chairman of the Enterprise. Win Myat Aye is also the Chairman of the Committee assigned to implement the recommendations of Dr. Kofi Annan’s Advisory Commission on Rakhine State.

Stating that the Rakhine issue has come under immense world focus following attacks on the police outposts in Rakhine last October, the furthers attacks in August, and the ‘related problems that grew out of these incidents’, Suu Kyi admitted that there has been a lot of criticisms against Myanmar and that the country needs to understand the international opinion.

Suu Kyi forms body for rehabilitation, dev work in Rakhine

Repatriation of those crossed into Bangladesh top priority, she says

Without mentioning the ongoing military crackdown in the Rakhine state or the minority Rohingya people, Myanmar de factor leader and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in a statement yesterday announced the formation of a Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine to implement long-term durable and sustainable development work in the region. Stating that Myanmar needs to continue doing the things that needs to be done, Suu Kyi said that three main tasks have been prioritised by the government, which are -- repatriation of those who have crossed over to Bangladesh and providing humanitarian assistance effectively; resettlement and rehabilitation; and bringing development to the region and establishing durable peace, said the press release from the Myanmar State Counsellor Office. She said that her government was negotiating with Bangladesh on the matter of accepting those who are now in Bangladesh and mentioned that since independence, Myanmar has twice successfully negotiated with Bangladesh on the same issue. Based on these successful traditions, we are now negotiating for the third time, said Suu Kyi. Regarding rehabilitation of people in Rakhine, the Myanmar leader mentioned names of very small national races such as Daing-net and Myo, but did not mention the Rohingyas, and said, We need to work not only for those who will be returning from Bangladesh but also for the very small national races such as Daing-net and Myo as well as Rakhine Nationals and Hindus. We will work to ensure that they will regain their normalcy. State Counsellor Suu Kyi will act as the chairperson of the newly formed Union Enterprise, a mechanism which would allow the Union Government, the people, the private sector, local NGOs and CSOs, friendly countries, UN agencies, and INGOs to work together in cooperation, the statement said. Dr. Win Myat Aye, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will serve as Vice Chairman of the Enterprise. Win Myat Aye is also the Chairman of the Committee assigned to implement the recommendations of Dr. Kofi Annans Advisory Commission on Rakhine State. Stating that the Rakhine issue has come under immense world focus following attacks on the police outposts in Rakhine last October, the furthers attacks in August, and the related problems that grew out of these incidents, Suu Kyi admitted that there has been a lot of criticisms against Myanmar and that the country needs to understand the international opinion.