Factbox: Reactions to speech by Myanmar's Suu Kyi on violence in Rakhine State

[snoop1130]

Factbox: Reactions to speech by Myanmar's Suu Kyi on violence in Rakhine State

 

Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech to the nation over Rakhine and Rohingya situation, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar September 19, 2017. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

NAYPYIDAW (Reuters) - Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday gave her first address to the nation since attacks by Rohingya Muslim insurgents on Aug. 25 sparked a military response that has forced more than 410,000 Rohingya into neighbouring Bangladesh.

 

Suu Kyi condemned human rights violations and said anyone responsible would face the law but she did not address U.N. accusations that the military campaign in Rakhine state was "textbook" ethnic cleansing.

 

Here are some reactions to her speech from diplomats, aid agency officials, human rights groups and others:

 

JAMES GOMEZ, Amnesty International regional director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

 

"Aung San Suu Kyi today demonstrated that she and her government are still burying their heads in the sand over the horrors unfolding in Rakhine State."

 

PHIL ROBERTSON, Human Rights Watch deputy director, Asia Division.

 

In response to Suu Kyi's statement that army clearance operations have ceased since Sept. 5 - "If that is true, then who is burning all the villages we've seen in the past two weeks?"

 

TIN MAUNG SWE, secretary of the Rakhine State government

 

He praised Suu Kyi for her "transparency" but was not optimistic about her pledge to promote harmony between Muslims and the largely Buddhist ethnic Rakhine communities in the state.

 

"The situation is ready to explode. It just needs a single spark."

 

SEIN WIN, Myanmar defence minister

 

"We will protect the ones who are in line with the law ... There are still many Muslim villages. We are taking good care of them," he said, as he arrived for Suu Kyi's speech.

 

PAUL EDWARDS, UNICEF deputy representative in Myanmar

 

"We have to take at face value what she said about there being no further military operation since Sept 5. But of course none of us really know what's happening there if we're not there."

 

MARZUKI DARUSMAN, chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar

 

"Two main issues emerge ... the categorical readiness of the government of Myanmar to receive back returnees at any time on the basis of a procedure that will have to be discussed at some point. And secondly, the readiness of the government to undertake to be globally scrutinized by the international community. These two points bode well."

 

HONG LIANG, Chinese ambassador to Myanmar

 

"China's position is very clear. We support the Myanmar government's effort to restore the peace and stability in Rakhine."

 

NIKOLAY A. LISTOPADOV, Russian ambassador to Myanmar

 

"There are not reliable proofs, evidence to make such a condemnation, genocide and ethnic cleansing, no evidence."

 

ANDREW KIRKWOOD, United Nations Office for Project Services director and representative in Myanmar

 

He welcomed Suu Kyi's announcement that diplomats could travel to Rakhine state to see the situation for themselves.

 

"I think that that is a positive statement and we wait to see what follow-up there is."

 

NI LAR THEIN, Yangon resident attending an open-air broadcast of Suu Kyi's speech, which was in English.

 

"Mother Suu gave a speech today so that the whole world can know what's actually happening in our country. We come here to show our support for her, no matter if we understand the speech or not."

 

(Reporting by Myanmar bureau, Tom Miles in GENEVA; Writing by Karishma Singh; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-9-19

[Baerboxer]

Amnesty International and HRW.

 

Dedicated to raising their own profiles and increased funding by donations to support their career personnel.

 

Sorry, but NGO's like this stopped being political impartial long time ago.

[weegee]

"Mother Suu gave a speech today so that the whole world can know what's actually happening in our country. We come here to show our support for her, no matter if we understand the speech or not." (Quote).

 

And when will the media put forward the other side of the situation?...Media is flooding the Television News with how bad these people are being treated....SO...Lets have them show what was done to the Myanmar People, BEFORE this exodus started...and WHY it's developed into this ....Those fires could have been lit by the Refugees, themselves. That makes it easier to get the do gooders to feel sorry for them...Myanmar is standing up for the right of THEIR People.

 

[Stargeezr]

I have seen that vast amounts of these Muslims have left Burma,  so they are safe

if they do not try to return to that country.  This is hardly an ethnic cleansing or none

would be in the neighbouring countries.  Come on you rich Muslim countries,   why

are you not taking in this mob of refugees, where is your peaceful, generous nature.

Oh I forgot that most of the terrorist groups are also Muslim ran.

My mistake

Geezer