Kofi Annan meets Myanmar president & military chief

Kofi Annan, the chairman of the Rakhine State Advisory Commission, has met Myanmar President Htin Kyaw and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at their offices in Naypyitaw on September 8.

The President's Office said Htin Kyaw told Annan that the issue of Rakhine State was one of Myanmar's most important challenges, while expressing confidence in the Ghanaian diplomat's leadership.

Annan said that he and other two foreigners on the commission would bring their international experience, while accepting the protests about their inclusion. The commission wanted to know people's opinions to approach the issue, Annan said. 

The president and Annan discussed the Union Peace Conference or Panglong conference, agricultural technology and preventive measures against drugs carried out by the Kofi Annan Foundation.

Min Aung Hlaing received the Annan-led delegation at the Bayintnaung Guest Hall in Naypyitaw on September 8.

“The Rakhine are very sensitive about the inclusion of foreigners. We have to consider national reconsolidation and democratic affairs in addition to citizenship. I advise that the commission should observe conflicts between two communities based on history,” Min Aung Hlaing said.

He engaged on a contentious history lesson: “The first war with British broke out in 1824. The British won. Then Rakhine became a colony of the British. By 1886, the whole country was a colony. The British brought Bengalis to grow rice on a commercial basis. In the Rakhine region, the population of 'Bengalis' has been increasing gradually. We call them 'Bengalis' as they come from the Bengal region. Bengal was split into East and West Bengal and in 1971, East Bengal [East Pakistan] became Bangladesh.

"Those 'Bengalis' named themselves Rohingya. They are the same as those currently living in Bangladesh in language, costume and culture,” said Min Aung Hlaing, giving a controversial history of Rakhine State's Muslim population.

He claimed that previous governments had been too distracted with civil wars to prevent uncontrolled immigration from Bangladesh.

The Muslim population also rose significantly due to the practice of polygamy, said the military chief.  

In reference to the 1982 Citizenship Law, he stressed the need for both sides to be patient and know the process correctly.

Out of a population of more than 52 million, there were only just over 4 per cent recognised as Muslims, as they arrived in the distant past, he said.

He said the current problems were not based on religion, but instigated when religion was used a tool.

Annan said the commission was only due to give recommendations after meeting stakeholders and the two communities. He stressed the need to continue citizenship monitoring, while the commission tried to seek ways to address the issue in accord with the law.