110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon, Burma
For Immediate Release September 10, 2012
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a delegation to visit Burma and Bangladesh to learn first- hand about the situation in Burma's Rakhine State, including areas in the vicinity of the border. The delegation, led by the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs' Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Joseph Yun and Ambassador Derek Mitchell, visited Burma from Sept. 7-10, 2012.
The delegation spent two days in Rakhine State, including communities in Sittwe Township, and neighboring villages around Maung Daw. Delegation members visited villages and IDP camps for displaced persons, local businesses, mosques and monasteries. They engaged with international and nongovernmental organizations and a broad spectrum from both Buddhist and Rohingya communities. The delegation also had extensive consultations with the Union Border Minister, the Chief Minister of Rakhine State, and other local government officials.
The delegation focused on the challenges resulting from the aftermath of recent communal violence in Rakhine State: lasting security and stability, freedom of movement for local residents, protection, and humanitarian access. They also solicited ideas on how the United States and international community can assist in long-term recovery efforts in Rakhine State. Broad swathes of both communities have been affected, and the humanitarian situation remains of great concern. Going forward it will be important to address the urgent needs, while also laying the groundwork for a long- term, sustainable and just solution.
In Nay Pyi Taw, the delegation met with Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and Minister of the Office of the President U Aung Min. The delegation conveyed their appreciation for the government's assistance in arranging the visit.
Delegation participants from Washington were: The Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs' Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Joseph Yun; Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs' Deputy Assistant Secretary Alyssa Ayres; Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor's Deputy Assistant Secretary Dan Baer; Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration's Deputy Assistant Secretary Kelly Clements. Newly arrived USAID Rangoon Mission Director Chris Milligan joined the delegation on their visit. On September 10th, Yun, Ayres, Baer, and Clements departed for Bangladesh to continue consultations.
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Subject: US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador visit Rakhaine State - MNA
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: Subject: US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador visit Rakhaine State - MNA
To:
NAY
PYI TAW, 9 Sept- Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Thein Htay
together with a delegation led by Mr Joseph Yun, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Southeast Asia and Pacific Affairs of the US Department of
State and Mr Derek Mitchell, American Ambassador to Myanmar arrived in
Sittway yesterday morning to observe the objective conditions in Rakhine
State.
Clarifying
the current situations of Rakhine State to Mr Joseph Yun and party at
the meeting hall of Rakhine State Government Office, the Union Minister
said that steps are being taken for attending to the basic needs of
victims including education and health; that humanitarian aids are being
distributed to victims regardless of race and religion; that relief and
rehabilitation measures are being taken by the government in close
cooperation with local people, UN agencies and international community;
that makeshift tents are being set up as temporary shelters for victims
while houses are being constructed for longterm rehabilitation; that
steps are being taken for physical and mental development of victims as
part of rehabilitation; that long-term plans are being drawn for
creating more job opportunities and improvement of socioeconomic status
of victims to ensure that their livelihood returns to normal.
Next,
the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for his part said that they had
witnessed the objective conditions of Rakhine State and they were
satisfied with the handling of situations by the government; that they
acknowledged the efficiency of the government that could address the
situations in a short period; that they would cooperate with the
government in providing humanitarian aids and assistance in order to
address matters on Bangladesh-Myanmar population density.
On
arrival at refugee camps being opened at Shwezedi Monastery in Sittway,
the Union Minister and party met with local people and asked what they
want to know.
The Union Minister and party met with Muslim families in Aungmingala Ward, Sittway and spoke words of encouragement.
Later, the Union Minister and
party met with local people in Kyaunggyilan Ward, displaced persons at
relief camps in Mingan Ward, Thetkepyin relief camp and Bawdupha Village
relief camp and asked what they want to know.-MNA
NAY PYI TAW, 9 Sept- Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Thein Htay
together with a delegation led by Mr Joseph Yun, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Southeast Asia and Pacific Affairs of the US Department of
State and Mr Derek Mitchell, American Ambassador to Myanmar arrived in
Sittway yesterday morning to observe the objective conditions in Rakhine
State.
Clarifying
the current situations of Rakhine State to Mr Joseph Yun and party at
the meeting hall of Rakhine State Government Office, the Union Minister
said that steps are being taken for attending to the basic needs of
victims including education and health; that humanitarian aids are being
distributed to victims regardless of race and religion; that relief and
rehabilitation measures are being taken by the government in close
cooperation with local people, UN agencies and international community;
that makeshift tents are being set up as temporary shelters for victims
while houses are being constructed for longterm rehabilitation; that
steps are being taken for physical and mental development of victims as
part of rehabilitation; that long-term plans are being drawn for
creating more job opportunities and improvement of socioeconomic status
of victims to ensure that their livelihood returns to normal.
Next,
the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for his part said that they had
witnessed the objective conditions of Rakhine State and they were
satisfied with the handling of situations by the government; that they
acknowledged the efficiency of the government that could address the
situations in a short period; that they would cooperate with the
government in providing humanitarian aids and assistance in order to
address matters on Bangladesh-Myanmar population density.
On
arrival at refugee camps being opened at Shwezedi Monastery in Sittway,
the Union Minister and party met with local people and asked what they
want to know.
The Union Minister and party met with Muslim families in Aungmingala Ward, Sittway and spoke words of encouragement.
Later,
the Union Minister and party met with local people in Kyaunggyilan
Ward, displaced persons at relief camps in Mingan Ward, Thetkepyin
relief camp and Bawdupha Village relief camp and asked what they want to
know.-MNA
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