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Rohingya repatriation

Milam for raising issue at UN if accord fails

By Staff Correspondent
William B Milam, the US ambassador to Dhaka, has said that Bangladesh should again Tntemattonahse the Rohingya Issue if the bilateral agreement for the repatriation of the refugees does not work
In such a situation. International options must be opened up said the ambes sador yesterday at a press briefing where he spoke on US Bangladesh relations and other related Issues
Praising Bangladesh s extremely prudent' approach
to the problem. Milam expressed mixed feelings on the merit of the agreement that the foreign ministers of Bangladesh and Myanmar signed last week
"(It Is) good agreement In many respects but there are some elements which are problematic.'
The agreement enshrines the voluntariness' which, he said, was an important point The ambassador. however, said that an International Involve me nt would have contributed to the voluntary repatriation.
The ambassador, who had been to Cox s Bazar taro days ago and found quite a moving sight to aritnesa at the refugee camps, emphasised an early return of Ihe refugees
He called for continuing the wise and patient approach on the part of Bangladesh so that regional stability was not threatened.
In response to a question, he said that the US would monitor the situation and in case of Myanmar's reluctance to Implement the agreement Ihe issue should go back Io the UN
On the possible US role in such a situation. Milam said "when It goes to the UN to the Security Council ... as a permanent member the US will certainly have a role "
He termed the Myanmar dispensation an outcast gov eminent' for Its human rights abuses.'
Referring to the plight of the refugee* the ambassador observed that diligent and strenuous efforts on the part of the Bangladesh government, the UNHCR and the NOOs were needed to prevent dis-
Ambassador Milam described the US-Bangladesh re-
latione very good which he said were enhanced by the recent visit of Prime Minister Khaleda Zta
He outlined several factors — (1) development and strengthening of democracy. (2) economic development of Bangladesh. (3) Bangladesh * contribution to the stability of the region — on which Ihe re latfons between the two coun tries were baaed
Asked If victory of the Democrat nominee in the forthcoming US clcctlona would affect the existing bilat eral relations, he replied In the negative and added that either party would follow the same ways
On the sustenance of democracy tn Bangladesh. the ambassador said. There are instances of roll-back of democra<-y especially In those countries that have an autocratic past.' In this connection. he referred to Peru whe re he said the democratically elected government was pursuing an undemocratic line.
On the increase of the quota of garments exports, he remarked, "Quotas. that Bangladesh has. are quite gen erous' but added "requests for further relaxation are under examination."