The continued efforts by Bangladesh appear to be doing little to minimise Myanmar’s distrust towards its neighbour, as Naypyidaw still believes that certain elements operate against it from across the border, an allegation Dhaka always rejects outright. And, according to diplomats, Myanmar does not seem to value the relationship the way Bangladesh does. This mistrust is getting in the way to resolve the protracted Rohingya problem and to tap the potential benefits from the relationship between Bangladesh and its neighbour Myanmar, they added.
Meanwhile, the head of the visiting Annan Commission delegation acknowledged that granting citizenship to Rohingyas is a key issue in the protracted problem.
“However hard we try, it appears that it falls short when it comes to minimise the distrust of Myanmar. They still believe that anti-Myanmar elements operate from Bangladesh, which is completely untrue,” a senior diplomat told The Independent. Referring to yesterday’s discussion between the visiting members of Myanmar’s Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, known as Annan Commission, and civil society comprising scholars, academia and former and serving diplomats at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), the diplomat said that the commission members made it known that there is a perception in Myanmar that Rohingyas come to Bangladesh, get trained and go back to Myanmar to carry out terrorist activities. “We have, as always, strongly protested the notion and said none is allowed to use Bangladesh’s soil to operate against any country,” said the diplomat.
If, he said, “They have any specific information they should share this with us. And, it is us who are persistently asking Myanmar to engage with through different mechanisms like security dialogue to strengthen border security.” “That would have been better for both the country. But we are not getting positive response from our neighbours,” the diplomat said, adding that previously Myanmar talked about the presence of anti-Myanmar insurgents in Bangladesh and Dhaka took note of that to act accordingly.
 According to another diplomat, who attended the discussion, said, “We were told that the media of Myanmar play negative role about Bangladesh that is making the Rohingya issue even more complex. Our position in this regard is that we have nothing to do with it. It is Myanmar’s military that control the media.”
About the solution to the Rohingya problem, the diplomats noted that still there is long way to go as State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi, who actually runs the country, have little control over the military, who ‘call the shots’.
They, however, said that though doubtful the formation of such a commission, headed by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, is a step in the right direction.
Referring to some of Bangladesh’s positive gestures to Myanmar like handing over two Myanmar Muslim nationals after the October 9 incident, sending relief during flood, returning their fishermen and bringing back Bangladeshis stranded in that country during the ‘Boat Crisis’, the diplomats emphasised that on part of Bangladesh, it will continue its endeavours to better the relationship.
“Worsening the bilateral ties with our next door neighbours is the last thing we want,” said a senior diplomat, adding that there is no alternative to engagement.
But, he said, “Sadly, Myanmar does not value the relationship the way we do. Together we could have done many things that would have made the lives of the two peoples much better.”
On the discussion, the diplomats said that from Bangladesh side, great emphasis was given on the return of Rohingyas to their homes as soon as possible ensuring their citizenship, safety and dignity.
And, Bangladesh, as always, is ready to cooperate with Myanmar in this regard, they said.
“We do believe that the reestablishment of the rule of law will end that problem... All communities living in Rakhine State should be respected ensuring their basic rights and dignity. Yes, this is the key to a better situation there,” Dr Ghassan Salame, a former Lebanese minister, told reporters after the discussion when asked if the commission believes that the problem will be over once the Rohingyas are granted citizenship.
“Rakhine is one of the least developed states of Myanmar economically and technologically. I think there are a huge amount of opportunities for everybody the moment the basic human rights and rule of law are re-established there for everybody,” he added.
Asked if there are religious elements that compelled Rohingyas to free their motherland, Salame said, “I don’t rule out the fact that there is a religious dimension in the conflict there.  But this is not a war of religions.”  There are also other issues like deprivation of citizenship, ethnicity, freedom of movement, rule of law and human rights, he said.
For the problem, he blamed the non-implementation of the citizenship law of 1982 and said that this protracted problem that has been there for decades cannot be solved in one stroke. To a question regarding the responsibility of Myanmar for its Rohingya people, Salame said that the creation of the commission by the Myanmar government means that there is no denial of the problem. The formation of the commission is a ‘big step’, he said.