Force Myanmar to take back Rohingyas

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday renewed her call to the international community to force Myanmar to take back its over one million Rohingya nationals from Bangladesh.

"Myanmar must take back its nationals and the international community should help Bangladesh send back the Rohingyas," she said.

The PM made the comments when visiting Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Dzung, also special envoy to the Vietnam prime minister, met her at the Gono Bhaban.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said the PM mentioned that Bangladesh has prepared a temporary shelter for the Rohingyas at Bhashan Char to provide them with a better living place.

Hasina said Bangladesh and Myanmar have already signed agreements for sending back Rohingyas. "But the implementation process is being delayed."

She said Bangladesh has attached importance to connectivity with Vietnam and emphasised enhancing trade and business.

The two countries struggled for independence, the premier said, adding that she as a student had closely observed Vietnam's struggle for independence.

The PM said a youth delegation had visited Vietnam after Bangladesh's independence in 1971 and her younger brother was a member of that team.

Vietnam Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen said the government and the people of his country were very happy at the reelection of Hasina.

He emphasised stepping up people-to-people contact.

About the Rohingya issue, Nguyen lauded Bangladesh's humanitarian efforts in sheltering the refugees. He said this was a huge burden on Bangladesh.

The deputy minister said his country would donate $50,000 as part of its solidarity with Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue.

He invited Hasina to visit Vietnam at a convenient time.

PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan was present during the meeting.

UAE NAVY CHIEF MEETS PM

Later, visiting Chief of Naval Staff of UAE Rear Admiral Pilot Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan met Hasina at the Gono Bhaban.

The press secretary said both the PM and the UAE Navy chief stressed the need for stepping up cooperation in different fields, including training between the naval forces of the two countries.

Mentioning that there was a manpower demand in the UAE Navy, Sheikh Saeed said Bangladesh Navy could play a role in this regard.

He expressed his country's interest in developing the shipbuilding sector in Bangladesh.

Hasina said Bangladesh's shipbuilding sector has been flourishing fast due to various initiatives taken by her government.

Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral AMMM Aurangzeb Chowdhury, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Mahfuzur Rahman, PM's Military Secretary Maj Gen Mia Mohammad Zainul Abedin, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan, the Bangladesh ambassador to the UAE and the UAE envoy in Dhaka were present.