Though describing the Rohingya plight as ‘one of the greatest tragedies’ in the region, the United States appears to be unwilling to re-impose sanctions against Myanmar on the heels of the atrocities of its security forces in Rakhine state bordering Bangladesh.

Placing great emphasis on the implementation of the recommendations of the Annan Commission, Washington believes in Rakhine state the security forces are more authoritative than the civilian authorities.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi to reiterate the world body’s concerns about the humanitarian situation in Rakhine state.

“And in Rakhine State, the plight of the Rohingya in particular is one of the greatest human tragedies anywhere in the region, W. Patrick Murphy, special representative and policy coordinator for Burma (Myanmar), told a questioner at a special teleconference briefing at the state department in Washington on Friday.

“...the fact that over a million of them inside the country have been devoid of basic rights for generations has been a longstanding issue and a longstanding concern for us in the United States. It needs to be addressed,” he said.

To a question, the official said, “In terms of sanctions, our sanctions were in place for the better part of two decades, primarily designed to facilitate the transition to democracy and improve human rights. The decision to lift the vast majority of those sanctions was based on the successful election and the early actions of the new government to address human rights concerns.”

“That doesn’t mean they have resolved all of their work; a lot of room for improvement. But as partners now, we can encourage, we can

facilitate, we can assist. And even in a very complex situation like in Rakhine State, that’s what we’re trying to do,” he said.

“There are some shortcomings, the government of Burma and the armed forces, and we are pointing them out, and focused on the very immediate needs, and that is primarily ending tensions, restoring humanitarian access, and beginning this difficult process of the underlying challenges that lead to these tensions,” he added.

Murphy, also a deputy assistant secretary for Southeast Asia, termed Myanmar a country that has great importance for the US, and said, “With regards to the situation in northern Rakhine State, we continue to be very focused on a couple of key objectives — first and foremost, restoring humanitarian assistance so that those in need can be assisted by the international community and by the Burmese authorities.”

 “That restoration of access would also allow accurate assessments of those needs. This is a complicated part of the country, and more specifically, a complicated part of Rakhine state itself... We’re very keen to see access restored for the media as well so that journalists can help tell us a more accurate picture of developments there – again, a very complicated part of the country,” he said.

“We continue to condemn attacks of a variety of nature – attacks on security forces; attacks on civilians; attacks by civilians – and we’re very concerned about the sustained allegations of abuses being committed that is resulting in the displacement of many people,” said the US representative.

“We’re urging all parties to take steps to calm tensions. And on a parallel basis, for authorities and partners of the Burmese authorities to continue to address the underlying challenges that are behind the most recent eruption of violence,” he said.

“We continue ongoing discussions, primarily through our ambassador, ambassador Scot Marciel, and his team in Rangoon, with the government – both the civilian authorities and military authorities,” he added.

“We continue ongoing discussions with neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, which is among several countries in the region who have hosted Rohingyas over many, many years, and we’re quite grateful for that hospitality and that safe haven.

In reply to a question, the deputy assistant secretary said, “The reality is that elected government inherited a constitution which accords the armed forces of Burma considerable authorities. And among those authorities is a preeminent role in northern Rakhine State.”

“So our discussions are both with the elected civilian government, which has overall responsibility for the country, but as well with military and other security force leaders. And our messaging is quite consistent. There needs to be a responsible reaction to the attacks on security forces that began this crisis on August 25th,” he said.

Asked if the US has much leverage with the Myanmar authorities, Murphy said, “I don’t think we have approached the relationship with Burma in terms of leverage. It is, in fact, a partnership. And since the transition to elected government, we have a dialogue and a conversation that is very comprehensive.”

“So our approach as a partnership is to help them build their capacity to have the tools to address the underlying problems. Now, that doesn’t mean that we withhold our concerns and our criticism when warranted. And indeed, now we are calling for a cessation of the violence and tensions that tend to lead to violence,” he said.

Asked if Aung San Suu Kyi, as a civilian leader, should be speaking out more, expressing concerns about the treatment of the Muslim minority, Murphy said, “I think in positive terms what the government of Burma has done is to acknowledge and accept the fact that they need to address the challenges in Rakhine State. It was a year ago that Aung San Suu Kyi and her government established the Rakhine Commission under the leadership of former UN secretary general Kofi Annan. On August 25th, the very same day of these attacks which appeared to be timed with this development, the Rakhine Commission released its final report and recommendations.”

“Aung San Suu Kyi and her government have embraced those recommendations, and now we encourage the full implementation. It won’t be easy. There are over 80 recommendations, but many of them address the underlying conditions in Rakhine State that cause so much friction and challenge. We want to work with the government, ensure they are focused on this task, have the capacity to address it,” he said.

“But as I say, it was Aung San Suu Kyi who established the commission and in turn has embraced their recommendations. That’s encouraging. That’s a process that we want to be behind and partner with,” he added.

To another question, the representative said, “Inside Rakhine State, this is a particular case where the security forces have the majority of authorities. Now, I’ve been there. I’ve been to northern Rakhine State. This is a challenge for the new government. As I mentioned earlier, there has been longstanding discrimination against ethnic minorities throughout Burma, and it’s very, very much present in the case inside Rakhine State for a number of different populations.” Responding to a question, he said, “As I also noted, on a parallel basis it’s not too early to start with implementing the recommendations of the Annan commission.”

In another development, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for UN secretary-general, told a regular briefing at the UN headquarters on Friday that the UN chief spoke to Suu Kyi over phone on Wednesday and reiterates his concerns.  

“He’s (secretary-general) had a number of contacts this past week, including with Aung San Suu Kyi.  He… they spoke by phone on Wednesday.  During the call, the secretary-general reiterated the concerns that he has about the situation in Rakhine State, the humanitarian situation, and reiterated, basically, the message he had given you publicly, directly to Aung San Suu Kyi,” he told a questioner.

“I think we have been speaking loud and clear and giving facts as we see them on the ground, both in Cox’s Bazar and also concerning the situation on the ground in Rakhine State,” said the spokesperson while replying to another question.