US focusing on solving Rohingya problems, not punishing Myanmar: Under Secretary of State

The United States is focused on diplomatic solutions to the Rohingya crisis rather than punishing Myanmar, visiting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon says.

His remarks came at a joint press briefing with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque after the sixth US-Bangladesh partnership dialogue at the state guesthouse Padma on Sunday.

“Right now, we have to solve the problem, not punish,” he said, replying to a query as Dhaka continues to press the international community to exert pressure on Naypyidaw for a solution to the decades-old crisis.

In the latest episode, over 600,000 Rohinngyas, mostly Muslims, crossed the border into Bangladesh in the nine weeks since Aug 25, fleeing violence in the Rakhine State.

A bill to re-impose some sanctions, which were lifted last year as Myanmar returned to democracy, was introduced by US Senate members last week.

Myanmar, however, reacted that the proposed sanctions, targeting Myanmar's military for its treatment of Rohingya Muslims, would hinder the fledgling civilian government sharing power with the generals.

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon (left) addresses the media with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque.

Shannon said they have sanction tools in their hand, but “our focus is to solve the problem and see diplomatic solutions to the crisis”.

He said the focus is also to address humanitarian needs to those who fled to Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh foreign secretary has appreciated the US for its handling of the Rohingya influx. He found US’s position “the strongest” on the issue for Bangladesh.

“They are supplying humanitarian assistance and so far has taken 31 concrete measures in terms of making solutions,” he said in his opening remarks.

Asked about the impacts of those measures, Shannon said due to those measures their diplomats and international community have been allowed into Myanmar to discuss the issue.

They were also allowed to visit Rakhine State, he said.

In the annual partnership dialogue, both sides take stocks of their relations and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues.

But this year Rohingya crisis dominated the talk due to the ongoing situation.

Shannon termed Bangladesh a “close and reliable partner” of the US in the region.

Also read

Pressure Myanmar on Rohingyas: Hasina

Repatriation Myanmar’s responsibility: US