Arakan News Agency
The Myanmar government said it was imposing security restrictions on relief organizations wishing to distribute humanitarian aid to Rohingya Muslims in Arakan state where an army campaign led to the displacement of large numbers of members of the Muslim minority.
Some 400,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh to escape a military campaign described by some as a campaign of ethnic cleansing and raised fears of a humanitarian crisis.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia Patrick Murphy is scheduled to arrive in Myanmar early next week to convey Washington’s concerns and try to push for more aid to reach the conflict zone, the State Department said.
A government official tried to justify the government’s action, and U Zaw Tai, a spokesman for the Myanmar government, told Reuters: “We do not prevent anyone.” He added: “We do not prevent any organizations that send aid to those areas, but may face some difficulties in traveling to areas restricted by local authorities entry for security reasons».
The crisis in Arakan has raised questions about the transition of Myanmar, a Buddhist majority to civilian rule under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize winner after decades of military rule.
Military leaders still control national security policies, but there has been much criticism for Suu Kyi abroad for not condemning the violence. The campaign against Rohingya is supported by Myanmar public opinion.
