Saturday, 15 September 2012 09:16

The morning of September 8, 2012, an 11 person delegation of American diplomats arrived in Arakan State, western Burma to be explore resolutions for the long-term solution of Arakan's unrest between Bengalis and Rakhine.
The group include the US Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Joe Yun, American Ambassador to Burma, Mr. Derek Michel and UNCHR Head Office Representative, Mr. Hans Ten Feld. All of whom arrived in Sitetway on a flight from Rangoon
An Arakan Times (AT) reporter based in Sitetway reported that the diplomatic group accompanied the Federal Security and Border Affairs Union Minister, Lieutenant General U Thein Htay, who led the group upon arrival in Sitetway. The group was extensively briefed about the living conditions of Rakhine and Bengalis, using township maps.
Lieutenant General U Thein Htay explained the current conditions regarding security and internally displaced people, as well as humanitarian assistance to both sides. Mr. Joe Yun also discussed the many long-term solutions for peaceful co-existence between the Bengalis and Rakhine. During an afternoon meeting at the Arakan State's government meeting room, the United States reportedly offered to give continual humanitarian assistance. Following the afternoon meeting, the US Delegation visited the relief camps in Shwe Zedi Monastery, Marmgan, Thetkay Prum, Bawdufa and exchanged views and questions with local authorities. Reportedly, the delegation went to Maungdaw by helicopter on the morning of September 9, and interviewed the internally displaced people who have been living in different relief camps since the violence in June. The delegation returned to Sitetway later, in the afternoon.
At about 1 pm, the US Delegation met with senior monks, representatives from five Arakan social welfare organisations, which included the Rakhine Thahaya Association, the Wanlark Foundation, the Arakan Refugees Relief Committee, Action Based Community Development and UTOPIA.
Sources said that Mr. Joe Yun emphasized questions on the root causes of the conflict, and whether the groups can live together as a long-term solution for the peaceful co-existence. The AT correspondent further added that the US Deputy Foreign Minister and his group returned Rangoon on September 9, after two days spent in meetings and interviews with the concerned people and authorities from Sitetway and Maungdaw townships.  ARAKAN TIME