National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman has dismissed the proposed establishment of a relief corridor into Rakhine as a “rumour”, saying only sending aid to the war-torn Myanmar state was being discussed.
Khalilur, who is also the chief advisor’s high representative for Rohingya issues and priority affairs, said this at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday.
He said, “I know that there is a rumour that Bangladesh is planning a corridor with UN assistance in Myanmar. I want to make it clear that no one has talked to us about a corridor. And no such discussions will be held with anyone.
“The matter of the corridor needs to be understood. It is a system to evacuate people from areas affected by a disaster as an emergency. But we are not evacuating anyone anywhere.”
Speaking about the proposal received from the UN on providing humanitarian assistance for the residents of Rakhine who are at risk of famine, he said that the proposal entails the lack of feasibility to send any aid and other supplies through Arakan.
“They [UN] told us ‘You’ll help us send over some [aid] across the border… The UN, through its different partners, will deliver this humanitarian aid through the channels it has inside Rakhine, for the people there.”
Clarifying the interim government’s point of agreement, Khalilur said: “I say it again, I say it in an unambiguous voice and you accept it, you will get the logistics, you will get it if you communicate, ask the UN, ask the UN’s respective countries – we have not spoken to anyone about the corridor and we will not.”
He said, “Considering the situation in Arakan, establishing a corridor is not needed… and neither is making any sort of arrangements to facilitate the movement of people there. What is needed now is delivering aid.”
Khalilur reiterated that Myanmar confirmed that 180,000 Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh since fleeing their homeland are eligible to return. The process of repatriation is pending discussions.
