Johnson focuses on repatriation of Rohingya, goes soft on democratisation

By SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE 
THE NATION 

 

 

BRITISH FOREIGN Secretary Boris Johnson yesterday discussed with his Thai counterparts and the head of an advisory board on the Rohingya crisis the important conditions for the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of refugees to Myanmar’s strife-torn Rakhine state, but did not ask for Thailand’s help on the matter.

 

Johnson met with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and later called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during his official visit to Thailand, the last leg of his Asian tour, which also took him to Bangladesh and Myanmar. 

 

The Rohingya crisis erupted in August last year after a militant group launched attacks against security outposts in Rakhine, prompting a tough reaction from Myanmar authorities, who killed hundreds and displaced nearly 700,000 people to Bangladesh.

 

 

Nay Pyi Taw and Dhaka have reached a deal to repatriate the refugees within two years but the process was delayed last month due to the lack of preparation. Ministers from the two countries will meet later this week to push forward the planned Rohingya return. 

 

Don said after meeting with Johnson that his British counterpart prioritised the Rohinyga crisis but did not specifically ask for help from Thailand on the issue. 

 

“We shared the same concerns over the atrocities in Rakhine state and determined it was necessary to find proper solutions for humanitarian aid. Thailand can help as we have experience in handling hundreds of thousands of refugees over the past 30 years,” Don told reporters yesterday.

 

Johnson also discussed the issue with Surakiart Sathirathai, chairman of the advisory board for the implementation of recommendations on Rakhine state, and agreed that establishing security in that Myanmar state was an important precondition for returnees from Bangladesh. 

 

UN agencies should be involved in the repatriation of the displaced persons in close consultation with the Myanmar government, Surakiart said, while refraining from using the term “Rohinyga”, who are widely referred to as “Bengalis” in Myanmar, in a pejorative reference that suggests that they are not native residents of the country. 

 

Myanmar’s de facto civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, chose Surakairt to lead the board to implement recommendations submitted to the Myanmar government by former UN chief Kofi Annan last August, which coincided with the worsening of the crisis.

 

Prior to his arrival in Thailand on Sunday, Johnson met Suu Kyi and called for an independent investigation into violence in Rakhine, where torture, murder, rape and massacres have been widely reported. The UN has said Myanmar’s military operation contained elements of “ethnic cleansing”.

 

Johnson said previously that he would comment on the democratisation in Thailand, but Don said they had just exchanged an overview of political developments in Thailand. 

 

The British minister did not apply any pressure regarding the long-delayed election and was convinced that it would follow the government’s stated “road map” and legal procedures, Don said.

 

“Elections in Thailand would have no implications for the United Kingdom,” Don said. “It matters to us, not them.”

 

Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1411266/boris-johnson-meets-prayut

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-13

Boris no-balls Johnson !

22 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand can help as we have experience in handling hundreds of thousands of refugees over the past 30 years,” Don told reporters yesterday.

Really????

Thank God he kept his stupid big mouth SHUT!

As ever, we only have the Juntas word for what was said...

56 minutes ago, eliotness said:

Boris no-balls Johnson !

He is angling for this years noballs prize.

 

Peace in our time!

Two modern day greats. 

Some poor sod had to use a wheelbarrow for all the BS produced at that meeting.

1 hour ago, davehowden said:

Thank God he kept his stupid big mouth SHUT!

Which of those present are you referring to?

1 hour ago, JAG said:

As ever, we only have the Juntas word for what was said...

However in this instance I am sure the gist was 'Please just buy something from us, pretty please...' on Johnson's part.

Edited February 13, 20188 yr by baboon

I wonder if the PM ,quizzed Boris on Yingluck's, visa,which

passport she was using,etc,etc,

regards worgeordie

"Met his counterparts"?

 

I didn't know Boris Johnson was a military man who seized his position undemocratically.

Reads like there was an international philosopher meeting in town I was not aware of.

Boris wrote a poem about Erdogan the (Turkish President} describing him as the wankera from Ankara I wonder if he will pen something similar  for a general from Bangkok?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand can help as we have experience in handling hundreds of thousands of refugees over the past 30 years,”

'What we do is tow them out to sea in a leaking boat or put them in metal containers and drop them off the decks of our navy ships.'

4 hours ago, davehowden said:

Thank God he kept his stupid big mouth SHUT!

I agree his mouth is big but this time I would have made an exception. Even the Irish withdrew the freedom of Dublin previously granted to Suu Kyi and then Boris cozies up to the dictator. It's all about the money.

Oh...and who will be the 3rd Stooge in this remake?

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

Boris wrote a poem about Erdogan the (Turkish President} describing him as the wankera from Ankara I wonder if he will pen something similar  for a general from Bangkok?

 

The Pillock from Bangkok will be published soon.

 

Interesting that the British government would legitimise the leader of an unelected group which unseated a democratically elected government by meeting with him.

Edited February 13, 20188 yr by Bangkok Barry

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand can help as we have experience in handling hundreds of thousands of refugees over the past 30 years,” Don told reporters yesterday.

Some were sent back to China and never heard of again.

Others were found buried deep in the jungle down south.

The lucky ones were allowed to drift out to sea on their leaky boats.

5 hours ago, Raymonddiaz said:

Really????

Yeah they  can  They are thinking look at all the cheap labour we can get so the lazy Thais dont have to work. Good thinking Why does that Johnson look like something the cat dragged in every time i see him Messy hair, Looks like he had not had  a  bath  for a week Johnson would of asked the question " Mr Pm When are you holding free elections Mr Pm? Mr Pm would of replied " November my good friend Boris" Johnson would of smiled and thought <deleted> liar.

5 hours ago, JAG said:

As ever, we only have the Juntas word for what was said...

 

Indeed. But are you suggesting previous Thai governments didn't do the same?

23 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Interesting that the British government would legitimise the leader of an unelected group which unseated a democratically elected government by meeting with him.

 

Along with the US, Australian, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Russian etc etc governments.

 

Perhaps those governments have an opinion on the previous elected government and it's behavior that varies from yours?

The meeting of two great minds

Hey guys dont rubbish the Aussie politicions They do and say anything to get free trips overseas. 

Give it a rest Boris, and get back to Blighty where there are apparently more problems in the UK, like BREXIT?

Boris is a tip top chap and all round entertainer, who would you sooner be running Thailand Boris or that other chap at the table?

I liked the pic of him sitting cross legged on the floor with refugees in Burma. Kudos.

I quite like the guy, he also aint no PC politico, c/w gaffes and memorable punch lines.

36 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Along with the US, Australian, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Russian etc etc governments.

 

Perhaps those governments have an opinion on the previous elected government and it's behavior that varies from yours?

I didn't comment on the behaviour of the previous elected government. I merely said it was democratically elected.

Wonder if Boris popped round to see Abhisit, big chums at Eton. They both toured Thailand when young uns.

Plus I bet BJ had a word with Too about the Chinese sub's, the UK builds decent ships and have a few spare we cannot afford to run.