A fact-finding mission into the Arakan conflict in Burma made up of four senior officials from the US Department of State have been in Myanmar since the 8th, and are expected to pay a three-day visit to Bangladesh.
The mission, led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Joseph Y Yun, is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow (the 11th of September) after concluding its tour in Arakan state. It is investigating the recent sectarian violence there.
The mission visited the Rakhine State of Burma for two days in order to see the post-conflict condition in Arakan. The mission met many people from political, religious and social organizations.
According to a Government source, the US mission visited victim camps in Maungdaw on the western Burmese border in the early morning of September 9th just before leaving for Yangon from Sittwe.
The US commission also discussed how to ensure long-term peace, security and humanitarian aid to all communities living in Arakan with Burmese government officials in Nay Pyidaw.
The US commission is made up of senior officials along with Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Joseph Y Yun. They are: Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Ms Alyssa Ayres, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Kelly Clements, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Daniel Baer.
The US mission will hold talks with Bangladesh government officials and representatives of international organisations regarding the role of the US in helping improve the living conditions of refugees from Burma.
The US Ambassador in Dhaka, Dan W Mozena will also accompany the visiting team during their tour in the Cox’s Bazaar areas.
