The new government in Myanmar will proceed with an approach of resolving all the problems through ‘discussions’ in a ‘peaceful’ manner with Bangladesh as the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) values Myanmar’s all neighbours with equal respect.
“Every problem will hopefully be settled with a peaceful attitude and peaceful manner,” U Tin Oo, veteran patron of NLD, told Bangladesh media, including a UNB representative, at the party office here on Monday. Yangon, UNB news agency reported.
Responding to a question, the NLD patron and former defence minister and commander-in-chief said, “She (Aung San Suu Kyi) is a very peace-loving lady and her party believes in peaceful coexistence.”
There were speculations that the ruling party wanted Tin Oo, now 89, as President. Asked about it, he just smiled and said ‘no’, he had no desire to be president but he wants to help the party achieve its goal of ‘peace’.
Since Suu Kyi is holding a number of offices, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tin Oo said there will be ‘cordial’ relations with all the neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh without any deviation from mutual respect.
Mentioning the peaceful settlement of maritime boundary dispute, the NLD patron said, “There’s s no border dispute between Bangladesh and Myanmar at this moment.”
Sharing his attachment with the heart of Bangladesh, the veteran leader mentioned the role of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in giving birth of Bangladesh and remembered how India helped realise Bangladesh’s ‘cause’ during the 1971 Liberation War.
The NLD patron laid emphasis on high-level exchanges between Bangladesh and Myanmar and frequent talks on issues of mutual interest for boosting ties between the two countries.
Asked whether he has any desire to visit Bangladesh, Tin Oo said, “No I don’t want to visit outside Myanmar anymore.”
He highly appreciated the recent joint celebrations at the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon and said such events must continue in the coming days to promote stronger friendship between the two countries.
On media freedom in Myanmar, he said the media is getting back freedom here but they are not happy yet and want more freedom in the days to come.
About internal priority, Tin Oo said there is an effort to achieve the goal of ‘peace’ and felt that all people, all parties and all in the administration will have to work together to achieve the goal.
“Our leaders are working very hard to that end. Peace cannot be restored unless unrest is addressed effectively,” he said adding that regaining trust of ethnic people is very important as ‘violence gains nothing’.
He said the new government is trying to make people understand that they are handling things transparently in a pragmatic way.
“As a nation we must work together. We must go through dialogue and discussions and find ways peacefully,” he added.
