Bangladesh Navy sends warships to guard against Myanmar's illegal exploration activit

[Raquib]

Sovereignty to be protected at any cost: Bangladesh Foreign Ministry

Bangladesh has given a stern warning to Myanmar for trespassing and illegal-exploration in Bangladesh's territory. The government says it wants to solve the situation through diplomatic channels but will exercise any option to safeguard its national interests. Three warships have already been deployed in the area to prevent Myanmar junta's aggression.
BMF Press - www.bdmilitary .com

Myanmar Ambassador U Phae Thann Oo was summoned to the foreign office yesterday again to lodge Dhaka's strong protest against continuing Yangon's survey for oil and gas by intruding into country's maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.

The Ambassador was told that Dhaka would mount diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute over Yangon's oil and gas exploration in the Bay.

Bangladesh emphasised the need for immediately stopping the survey and resolve the dispute before the situation aggravates and goes beyond control.

Foreign office made it clear that Bangladesh would protect its sovereignty and interests at any cost.

After the meeting with the Myanmar Ambassador, Adviser for Foreign Affairs Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told reporters that Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain would be sent to Myanmar tomorrow (Wednesday) as special envoy to resolve the dispute through diplomatic efforts.

Terming Myanmar a friendly country, the Adviser hoped that Yangon would take necessary measures to take back its ships with a view to resolving the dispute.

"We're sending the special envoy to lodge our protest at the highest level of Myanmar so the situation does not go beyond control…We're sending him (foreign secretary) to protect our interest," he said.

 

[Raquib]

Bangladesh Navy deploys another warship to confront Myanmar aggressors

Peace-loving Bangladesh is trying to use all diplomatic measures in an attempt to diffuse the current maritime dispute in the Bay of Bengal though Myanmar has kept drilling despite protests from Dhaka. Another Bangladesh Navy warship has been deployed in the troubled waters to give Myanmar a reminder that other less diplomatic options can be exercised too.
BMF Press - www.bdmilitary .com

Bangladesh said Tuesday it has deployed another warship to the Bay of Bengal and would send a top diplomat to Myanmar amid escalating tensions over gas exploration in disputed waters.

Foreign Minister Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told AFP a three-member team led by Bangladesh's foreign secretary would fly to Myanmar later in the day to try to resolve the row.

"They will discuss the latest situation with Myanmar officials and try to defuse the situation," he said.

Chowdhury said Bangladesh would "endeavour to settle the issue diplomatically" but warned of unspecified action if Myanmar continued to hunt for gas.

"Let it also be understood that we will do all that it takes to protect our sovereignty," he said, repeating earlier warnings that the South Asian nation would not hesitate to take "all possible measures."

He said Bangladesh has so far refrained from energy exploration in disputed waters, despite its earlier invitation to foreign oil companies to explore offshore for gas.

"It is our hope Myanmar will do the same," he added.

A top navy official said a frigate had been sent to the disputed waters, joining the three warships already deployed 50 kilometres (31 miles) south of Saint Martin Island, close to the border between the two countries.

"We deployed a British-made frigate, the BNS Kopothakka, to step up patrols, as Myanmar's navy had not yet shifted its vessels engaged in exploration activities" he said.

"Other vessels in our fleet were kept on stand-by," he said.