No talks on ‘corridor’: Dr Khalilur Rahman

Online Desk  :  High Representative to Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday categorically said the government did not discuss anything on giving ‘corridor’ to Myanmar through Bangladesh with anyone and stressed that they will not even discuss it. He said what they were talking to the United Nations is channelling aid -- food and medicine -- to Rakhine due to the humanitarian crisis there, reports UNB. Any decision or consideration will be taken in consultation with all the stakeholders, said the National Security Adviser at a media breifing at a Foreing Service Academy. Responding to a question, Dr Rahman...

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Online Desk  :  High Representative to Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday categorically said the government did not discuss anything on giving ‘corridor’ to Myanmar through Bangladesh with anyone and stressed that they will not even discuss it. He said what they were talking to the United Nations is channelling aid — food and medicine — to Rakhine due to the humanitarian crisis there, reports UNB. Any decision or consideration will be taken in consultation with all the stakeholders, said the National Security Adviser at a media breifing at a Foreing Service Academy.

Responding to a question, Dr Rahman said they are not under pressure from any country, not even from the United States. “We can’t give anyone any free pass,” he said, stressing the importance of Bangladesh’s own interest. Dr Rahman said Bangladesh is taking a burden of over 1.2 million Rohingyas and the country cannot accept any additional Rohingya. He said Bangladesh’s focus remains on the repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

“It has to be sustainable repatriation. They have to go back. They have to stay there (in Myanmar),” Dr Rahman said. He said there is no lack of coordination or understanding and he works very closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh Army. Dr Rahman said the ‘corridor’ issue and debate first emerged from a neighbouring county. He said there were no serious efforts in the last seven years and the interim government brought it to global focus again.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir were present the media briefing. Highlighting the needs of the Rohingya refugees, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller recently said cross-border ‘assistance’ can only work when individuals are safe on both sides of the border and when governments agree.
“We have done cross-border assistance in other parts of the world, and it can work, but it can only work when individuals are safe on both sides of the border and when governments agree,” he said.

On the definition of a corridor versus the definition of a passage, Ambassador Miller, however, said he is unable to give an inside information but as a humanitarian partner for Bangladesh, they are quite happy to be pragmatic about how they can meet the needs of the refugees. “If the refugees are here, we will meet their needs here, if they are on the other side of the border, because the situation might one day improve. We will also look at how we can channel assistance to them there, because it can be cross border,” he mentioned. The Ambassador recognised that there is an enormous effort being made by Bangladesh hosting so many refugees from violence across the border.

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