Vol. VI, No. 3, March 1992 +-+-+-+-+ - Ibiblio

the...residency status in Myanmar of those who had chosen to cross
over to the other side.... Investigations...revealed ...that...some
2344 were absent when on-ground inspections were made of the
household lists of residents of the area bordering Bangladesh. It was
explained by the Myanmar side that these absentees could be
travelling elsewhere within the country or indeed actually be in
Bangladesh."
-- "It was agreed...that Bangladesh would provide a list of
those who claim to be legal residents on the Myanmar side.... In the
past few days a list...has been received... and...is currently being
processed ...."
-- "in addition [to biased publicity on some foreign media]
there exist the unnecessary activities on the part of Bangladesh
disseminating unbalanced and unsubstantiated reports to the
diplomatic community in Dhaka and elsewhere in the world."
-- "It is no secret that [this] issue has been exacerbated by
the various terrorist groups operating in the area...[which] have
been fabricating malicious stories of autocracies [sic:
"atrocities"??] said to have been committed by the Myanmar security
forces inciting Moslems to flee across the border. What is amazing is
that they have been able to mislead some countries and
organizations...in spite of the widespread reports in the
international media, acknowledged by foreign governments...that the
Myanmar Defence Services...are among the most disciplined, loyal, and
effective fighting forces that exist in the world ...."
-- "Plans are under way...for the diplomatic corps and the
services attache corps to visit the border areas to personally
observe...the true situation....
-- "Myanmar...will also...invite ...UN Under Secretary-General
Mr. Jan Eliasson, Disaster Relief Coordinator, Department of
Humanitarian Affairs, to ascertain for himself and report the true
situation without having to resort to concocted stories of nonexistent
religious persecution, torture and the like."
-- "Let those who accuse us of religious persecution compare
our standard of religious toleration to their own societies...."
-- "The situation in the Myanmar-Bangladesh border can in now
way be seen as a threat to regional stability. Myanmar is confident
that a just solution will be found in conformity with the existing
laws of the land and in accordance with the agreement in effect
between the two countries...."
The Minister then responded to questions:
-- US Charge d'Affaires Franklin P. Huddle asked about the
number of refugees and the diplomatic visit to the border area.
-- Australian Ambassador Geoffrey Charles Allen asked about
Myanmar's arrangements to "accept through scrutiny, the emigrants."
-- German Ambassador Baron Walther Von Marschall expressed
satisfaction with the invitation extended to UN Under Secretary-
General Eliasson.
-- Bangladesh Ambassador Mostafa Faruque Mohammad asked about
the number of refugees.
-- Philippine Ambassador Ms. Rosalinda V. Tirona "expressed her
delight" at the arrangements made for diplomats to meet with the
Myanmar Foreign Minister.
-- British Ambassador Julian D.N. Hartland-Swann said the two
countries should solve the refugee question between themselves.
-- Indonesian Ambassador B.P. Makadada expressed doubt that
there were enough boats to transport 5-6,000 refugees a day across
the border as had been claimed.
-- SLORC Information Committee member Col. Ye Htut said that
people entered Myanmar illegally to seek economic opportunities, but
that Myanmar had only enough land for its own people.
-- Italian Ambassador Dr. Giorgio Bosco said the matter was an
important one.
Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw responded to these
points [not printed]. (WPD 3/20-21)