It’s Myanmar responsibility to make safe Rohingya repatriation: Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said it is Myanmar’s responsibility to take back its one million plus forcibly displaced nationals from Bangladesh without any form of fear and persecution.

“It is the responsibility of the Myanmar government and military to create
conducive environment so that the Rohingyas feel safe to return home,” he
said.

The US secretary of State made the remark while Bangladesh Foreign
Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen held the maiden meeting with him at the US state
department in Washington DC on Monday, according to a message received here
today.

During the meeting, Pompeo reiterated that US would stand beside
Bangladesh both politically and financially in finding a permanent solution
to the Rohingya crisis.

He also lauded the humanitarian gesture of the Bangladesh government led by
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for temporarily sheltering the persecuted
Rohingyas.

Momen informed that Bangladesh at its own expense has turned the island
“Bhashanchar” into a livable place in which one lac Rohingyas are planned to
be relocated in coordination with UN agencies and different aid groups.

Bangladesh foreign minister sought US support in creating a safe zone in
Myanmar’s Rakhine State monitored by international human rights groups.

Apart from Rohingya issue, deportation of Bangabandhu’s killer Rashed
Chowdhury from USA to Bangladesh, shared vision of a Free and Open Indo-
Pacific, US investments in Bangladesh, duty and quota free access of
Bangladesh’s garments products in the US market and US-Bangladesh partnership
in multiple sectors came up in talks.

Regarding deportation of Bangabandhu’s self-confessed and convicted killer
Rashed Chowdhury from the USA, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister pointed out
that he is fleeing justice.

This is essential to carry out a vital common agenda of both countries
pertaining to Counter-terrorism and Countering-Violent Extremism and
upholding rule of law, he said.

Both leaders agreed that for greater prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,
vital energy and infrastructure projects need to be implemented on regional
partnership basis.

In that respect, leaders of the region need to work together on issues
such as governance, accountability, rule of law and maritime security, they
observed.

Mentioning that Bangladesh is lauded internationally for its impressive
development journey, Momen sought more investment from the USA in the oil and
gas sector and US presence in the Special Economic Zones.

He also sought US support to the candidature of Bangladesh in the upcoming
election to the post of Deputy Director General of International Organization
for Migration (IOM).

Later in the day, the visiting Bangladesh Minister held meetings with
senior officials of the US State Department and Deputy National Security
Adviser Charles Kupperman.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Mohammad Ziauddin accompanied the
Minister at the meetings.