Tension along Bangladesh, Myanmar border, China counsels talks
November 9th, 2008 - 4:15 pm ICT by IANS ( 3 comments )Dhaka/Beijing, Nov 9 (IANS) Bangladesh and Myanmar massed troops on their tense border over a row over oil and gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal, with China asking them to settle their dispute through talks.Beijing also offered to “contribute in an appropriate manner” to a resolution of their differences.
“We hope the countries will settle it through equal and friendly negotiations and maintain a stable bilateral relationship. As their friend, China will contribute in an appropriate manner,” Xinhua news agency quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang as saying.
Dhaka is aware of the influence China wields on the military junta in Myanmar, media reports in Bangladesh said, quoting foreign ministry officials.
Tension between Bangladesh and Myanmar intensified Friday as Myanmar started reinforcing border troops after talks over the disputed waters in the Bay of Bengal failed.
This prompted Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) to be on alert at strategic points in Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar districts.
According to BDR officials, the paramilitary forces have been put on alert in Rezu, Chakdhala, Asadtali, Fultali, Lebuchhari, Dhumdhum, Amtali, Tamru and Ukhia borders in the two districts, The Daily Star said Sunday.
The Bangladesh Navy intelligence has reported that Myanmar has begun mobilising troops near the Naf river.
BDR officials Saturday said since Myanmar continued reinforcing troops along its border, Bangladesh had also taken appropriate steps as a precaution.
The BDR has reportedly alerted people in the border areas about possible clashes. A number of schools have been vacated and handed over to the BDR.
The dispute emerged after Myanmar started oil and gas exploration last week in a stretch of sea claimed by Bangladesh.
Bangladesh deployed naval ships in the area and also sent a diplomatic team to Myanmar for negotiations. The next round of talks is likely in mid-November.
Bangladesh has maritime territorial dispute with India as well. Dhaka has revived talks with the two neighbours after a gap of over 25 years, after all three began to eye the bay for oil and gas exploration.
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- Dhaka-Yangon standoff lessens, but troops mobilisation continuing - Nov 11, 2008
- Myanmar proposes re-drawing sea border with Bangladesh - Mar 22, 2010
- Dhaka to survey Bay of Bengal to fix maritime boundary - Oct 21, 2009
- Dhaka stakes claim over submerged island in Bengal bay - Apr 11, 2010
- Dhaka to protest Yangon's maritime stand in Bay of Bengal - Jun 25, 2009
- India, Bangladesh soon to settle border issues: Tripura CM - Sep 09, 2011
- End row over maritime boundary, Dhaka tells Delhi - Jun 14, 2010
- Bangladesh fears Myanmar may attack their island in Bengal bay - Oct 18, 2009
- Dhaka to protest Myanmar Navy attack on its fishermen - Oct 20, 2009
- Dhaka looks to Moscow for oil, gas exploration - Dec 28, 2010
- Bangladesh takes marine border dispute with India to UN - Nov 10, 2009
Tags: bangladesh rifles, bay of bengal, chinese foreign ministry spokesman, foreign ministry spokesman, influence china, military junta, myanmar border, naf river, oil and gas exploration, xinhua news agency
November 9th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
i think present myanamar government are so much crazy for china’s support.they r breaking international law in their own countries from many years.and this is very strange that china are giving support like this barbarian government of myanamar.
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
dear bangladeshis
pl remember it…you need to go for a war…you need it for your existence…you have not yet passed any acid test as nation…as indians have done it…srilankans have proved it recenly…moreover your country is at the worst possible situation at this moment…you have an army, whose chief cannot demand any confidence from his undercaommand army…your politicians needs a tensed situation to cover up their massive failure to manage massacre at your border security forces headquarters…both your political leaders and your highly hypocrite army leaders are responsible for this…so, you are a country now, who doesnt have an efffective army and effective border sy force…and your political leaders are happy to drink ‘footwashed-wine-of-india’…isnt it…?
how you are going to go pass this exam…remember once you have a fight with myanmar, you will find an america here in the guise of india, who will support both of you…supplying arms and ammuniton, good business is awaiting ahead for india…even if there is no war…India is probably going to achieve their best political winning situation within next five years, on their way to becoming a super power…do you understand it…i undersatnd it is difficult for you to swallow…KKKKKK.
Do you remember the last message by your killed Col Gulzar…” I m done…take care of my family”…
as a nation you are done…
take care guys.
December 14th, 2009 at 11:58 am
bangladesh has a population with same ethnic background, language and culture which is not the case of India , pakistan, srilanka or myanmar. Our Army still does not have a desertion rate like myanmar. Every country passes critical time. As a small country , we are still here with elections and democracy shows that we are not done. We do not need to go to a war which can be solved in diplomatic way. We do not need to and is not justified go to a war only to prove ourselves.
we common people did not drink any foot washed wine to accept your idea of war!!! It is not difficult for us to Swallow if India Pakistan of Maldives become superpower. If any country have the potential to have economic and military of its own.. what is our problem?? It seems you can not swallow the news that we are still not at war. I have seen col gulzar many times before. There are people like him in the military as well as the civil society who still work for the nation. We have solved Chittagong hill tracts peacefully.