Shannon: US committed to diplomatic solution to the Rohigya crisis

The United States government wants to pursue a diplomatic solution to the Rohingya crisis instead of imposing sanctions, says Under Secretary of the US for Political Affairs Thomas A Shannon. He told reporters in Dhaka on Sunday that their purpose was to solve the problem through diplomatic measures only. Addressing a press briefing after the 6th Partnership Dialogue at the state guest house Padma, Shannon said: “We discussed in detail the pressing Rohingya crisis.” Replying to a query on possible tougher measures against Myanmar such as imposing sanctions, he said: “Right now, our purpose is to solve the problem, not to punish." “Engagement is taking place, dialogue is taking place. Now our purpose is to try to find a way to utilise this momentum and continue to move it forward towards some kind of a solution,” he added. At Sunday's dialogue, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque and Shannon discussed trade and prosperity agenda, security in the Indian Ocean region, combating transnational terrorist groups, their approach to North Korea's 'dangerous and provocative' conduct and the Rohingya crisis. Shannon said: “This is the sixth time we have held this event. This annual dialogue is an important opportunity to discuss our cooperation on global and regional matters of concern to both of our countries.” He said the dialogue demonstrated that the US and Bangladesh collaborate on many important issues and share a long history of cooperation and a vision for a tolerant, democratic Bangladesh that serves as a bridge for commerce between South and Southeast Asia, reports UNB. "Bangladeshis an anchor for stability and prosperity in the region, and we appreciate the government's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region," added the US under secretary. Shannon and Shahidul also discussed the humanitarian crisis unfolding on Bangladesh's border with Myanmar. “We had a very long, very productive discussion on the Rohingya humanitarian crisis,” said Shannon. “I reiterated the alarm expressed by officials to the highest levels of the US government, including President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Secretary Tillerson, regarding the scale of violence that is being reported in northern Rakhine State and our commitment to accountability for those actions.” Shahidul Haque told reporters the US has taken 31 steps on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in just two months. Acting Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees and Migration Simon Henshaw participated along with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat and senior officials of the US Embassy in Dhaka. Both sides reiterated their commitment to working more closely to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries, reports UNB.