Tension between Bangladesh, Burma Mounts

By THE IRRAWADDY

Tension between Bangladesh and Burma has mounted as the result of the movement of naval warships from both countries in controversial waters in the Bay of Bengal.

The Bangladesh government said it will take all possible measures to protect its territory and accused the Burmese regime of invading its seawaters in order to explore for gas.

Burma has found large natural gas reserves in the Bay of Bengal and is interested in exploring in areas claimed by Bangladesh, where a Burmese exploration vessel escorted by three naval ships have traveled.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told Agency France-Presse on Tuesday, “We deployed a British-made frigate, the BNS Kopothakka, to step up patrols, as Myanmar's navy had not yet shifted its vessels engaged in exploration activities.”

"Other vessels in our fleet were kept on stand-by," he said.

Chowdhury said that a delegation led by Bangladesh's foreign secretary will fly to Burma soon with the aim of easing the tension between the two nations.

He was quoted by AFP as saying, “They will discuss the latest situation with Myanmar officials and try to defuse the situation.”

Bangladesh and Burma have held talks in the past with the aim of resolving the dispute over the maritime boundary, including a meeting held in Dhaka in early October which was attended by high-ranking ministers of the two nations.

Burma’s No 2 leader, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, led the delegation in discussions involving maritime boundaries, trade and economic ties between the two nations.