'US-Bangla military diplomacy up'

[BanglaBhoot]

Hmmm...not a bad idea.

How about this:

Absorbing the remaining 1 million Rohyingyas as refugees -> Create a paramilitary force out of all able bodied Rohyingya man. The force's job is to fight insurgencies in CHT and maintain law and order 24/7. This frees the Army from maintaining constant vigilance in those hilly areas. The Rohyingyas would also earn enough money to feed their families.

In return, we can try striking deals on the CTG-Cunming highway, FTA, agricultural land and easy access to Myanmar's mining resources for our businessmen. What do you guys think?

Sounds like a good proposition but Bangladesh could not afford it. I think, however, that we are seeing the Burma situation in isolation. There is now instability in the Seven Sisters, Arakan and Chittagong. None of this is happening by itself. There is an international agenda here ......

 

[scholseys]

Hmmm...not a bad idea.

How about this:

Absorbing the remaining 1 million Rohyingyas as refugees -> Create a paramilitary force out of all able bodied Rohyingya man. The force's job is to fight insurgencies in CHT and maintain law and order 24/7. This frees the Army from maintaining constant vigilance in those hilly areas. The Rohyingyas would also earn enough money to feed their families.

In return, we can try striking deals on the CTG-Cunming highway, FTA, agricultural land and easy access to Myanmar's mining resources for our businessmen. What do you guys think?

Creating a paramilitary force out of Rohingyas where we have huge number of poor in the country is not feasible, our best option is to put them in slums like the Beharis. Instead we need a strong DGFI in the chittagong hilltracks area, any sort of uprising will lead to their abduction and will never be seen again. A vibrant Chittagong in the future is way for these rohingyas to get out of poverty in the future. Chittagong has lots of potential, already Singaporeans want to invest in Chittagong, i have also heard of an offer by the Chinese wanting to build a city there; we need to allot them land. Chittagong is full of potential and a stable Myanmar is the way to go.

 

[scholseys]

We have a diversity of views on this issue, which is good. Its how we can consider all different options and then collectively chose a wise option which is supported by majority.

OT:

Muslim world, this consists of 1.6 billion Muslims, there is OIC, D8 and Muslims living as minorities in other countries and yes they do consider themselves a part of global community, although it is loosely knit and there is no possibility of or even need for any future Khilafa, in my opinion. regional union is a better alternative.

But with increased communication tech, the Rohingya massacre did generate significant protests from all corners of the globe among Muslims, so yes there is such a think called a Muslim world and it is increasingly getting closer due to globalization. So Muslims helping each other is always going to help collective well being of Muslims and I think it will only increase with time, because of pragmatic real world reasons.

If you are familiar with the Jewish people, just study how well they coordinate and help each other regardless of their national and ethnic origin. If we Muslims can emulate 10% of that we will be in a different situation. Shia's already are more united and are helping fellow Shia's (Twelvers, Islmaili's, Aga Khani's etc.), but Iran regime is using it for shia-supremacy over Sunni's with extreme negative consequence.

Muslims are too busy with the palestine and the kashmir cause.....oh wait they are not

 

[Zabaniyah]

SAARC is certainly a joke. ASEAN is composed of South East Asian countries. SL belongs to South Asia and not SE Asia. So, its membership bid was rejected. Ethnically and culturally Burma is a part of SE Asia, but not Bangladesh. So, a question may arise, if BD is included why not India, too? Indian NE is pretty much similar to SE Asia ethnically and lies also at the east of BD. So, why not India?

If only geographical continuity is considered for an economic association then all the countries upto europe and Africa will become member states of ASEAN. So, putting emphasize on geographic continuity may not be helpful. Rather, we should find out some other commonality and affinity that can be used for ASEAN membership bid.

For example, our small geography can be a strong point, other ASEAN memeber countries will not fear us. This can more be enhanced if BD becomes an active trading partner of ASEAN countries as a part of an economic integration with that entity. There should also be many cultural exchanges.

By the way, Laos has already agreed to forward our membership aspiration. A racist Myanmar will be opposing our entry, no doubt. I believe, US endorsement will positively influence our membership bid in the ASEAN. We have to understand that ASEAN was not created without US patronage.

India joining ASEAN? Never, ever ever ever....EVER Zero chance. Even if some small South Asian country does manage to join ASEAN. Believe me

But still, chances of any South Asian country joining ASEAN is weak at least for the moment even given our geography.

The thing is that they'll never allow large nations like India and China to dominate them. Just imagine, two large nations with massive populations and nukes plus regional ambitions filled with the maturity of an illiterate and starving twelve year old. Scary huh?

As for SAARC, its inter-regional trade is very little compared to ASEAN or even the GCC. So yes, it is pretty much a "Coca-cola club".

And as far as Myanmar is concerned, just give it some time. They are still a significant number of Rohingya refugees over there, more than in Bangladesh still.

Any potential reaction should come from the Burmese, not us.

We should mend the bridges with Myanmar. Take in all of their Rohingyas some 700,000 and let them rot in slums like the Beharis. Of course, in exchange of a highway and their support for us to join the ASEAN.

And how does it address the problem? Money?

The Rohingyas may potentially become a security issue. Especially given our chaotic political climate. We just saw what happened to the humble Buddhist minority.

There is not such thing as putting this issue right under the carpet.

And even if we accept all of the Rohingyas, the Burmese can still possibly oppose our membership bid.

 

[scholseys]

India joining ASEAN? Never, ever ever ever....EVER Zero chance. Even if some small South Asian country does manage to join ASEAN. Believe me

But still, chances of any South Asian country joining ASEAN is weak at least for the moment even given our geography.

The thing is that they'll never allow large nations like India and China to dominate them. Just imagine, two large nations with massive populations and nukes plus regional ambitions filled with the maturity of an illiterate and starving twelve year old. Scary huh?

As for SAARC, its inter-regional trade is very little compared to ASEAN or even the GCC. So yes, it is pretty much a "Coca-cola club".

And as far as Myanmar is concerned, just give it some time. They are still a significant number of Rohingya refugees over there, more than in Bangladesh still.

Any potential reaction should come from the Burmese, not us.



And how does it address the problem? Money?

The Rohingyas may potentially become a security issue. Especially given our chaotic political climate. We just saw what happened to the humble Buddhist minority.

There is not such thing as putting this issue right under the carpet.

And even if we accept all of the Rohingyas, the Burmese can still possibly oppose our membership bid.

This is why i have stated in my post that we get a deal out of them where these Burmese will support our bid.

 

[kalu_miah]

This is why i have stated in my post that we get a deal out of them where these Burmese will support our bid.

Perhaps you should seek out some Burmese minority groups in your city, such as Rohingya, Kachin, Karen, Mon, Shan etc. They have been living with Burman/Bamars for at least 1200 years now, since they were kicked out of Yunan area of China by some other Chinese groups and they know about Burmans and Bamars and how to deal with them.

In fact, from some organized group, we may just do this, make contact and learn as much as possible about this people called Burman/Bamar.

Without understanding their mode of operation, we have no clue how to deal with them. One should wonder why the minorities are still fighting for the last 60 years, I heard its because the Burmans made some deals with these minorities and did not keep them later. For example, with Rohingya's, they were given hope of citizenship, but it was taken away in 1982.

So deal with who? These same Burmans/Bamars? Do they understand the meaning of the word deal?

 

[asad71]

1. First Pakistan (pre-71) and now BD have lost the bus as well as the train in Arakan. A people who are no different to Bangladeshis and a land of rich resources, have been ignored by successive administrations. The strategic advantages of Arkan to BD has never been realized either by Pakistan or BD.

2. So now we have arrived at a stage where Uncle Sam has smelled the oil and gas in Arakan. Arakan looks set on a course to become a Kosovo or Muslim E Timor.

 

[Zabaniyah]

This is why i have stated in my post that we get a deal out of them where these Burmese will support our bid.

And just how are so certain that they will respect our commitments?

Their view of Bangladesh with hostility is an open secret. Albeit more subtle with no reason or logic.

Even if we engage diplomatically:
Myanmar monks protest against OIC | The Nation

The best thing is to maintain status quo for now while the US maintains its "carrot-and-stick" approach.

We have many problems to address in ourselves first. No need to risk to put more fuel to the fire.

Perhaps you should seek out some Burmese minority groups in your city, such as Rohingya, Kachin, Karen, Mon, Shan etc. They have been living with Burman/Bamars for at least 1200 years now, since they were kicked out of Yunan area of China by some other Chinese groups and they know about Burmans and Bamars and how to deal with them.

In fact, from some organized group, we may just do this, make contact and learn as much as possible about this people called Burman/Bamar.

Without understanding their mode of operation, we have no clue how to deal with them. One should wonder why the minorities are still fighting for the last 60 years, I heard its because the Burmans made some deals with these minorities and did not keep them later. For example, with Rohingya's, they were given hope of citizenship, but it was taken away in 1982.

So deal with who? These same Burmans/Bamars? Do they understand the meaning of the word deal?

Burmans have been dreaming about a pure Bumar + Buddhist state for a very, very long time.

Hence, the farce.

 

[Banana]

I said USA started its tyranny using atom bombs on Japan, didn't say it was so before that. You failed to understand what I meant. The use of nuclear weapon was punishment for attacking on Pearl Harbor and destroying some warships. Two cities were destroyed by atom bombs for that crime. Hence, it started its tyranny and it's going on and on.

Do you think I dreamed these all, I might have read history...right? I didn't say Japan was a good country...did I....I said advanced.

The decision to drop atomic bombs were only taken after the shock the US received in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Thought the battle was won, but US had more casualties than Japan. The US could have either Naval Blockaded Japan for years or they could have invaded Japan - both options resulting in prolonged war for years and Deaths of Millions of People. Best option was to finish it ASAP and thus the Nukes.

Japan was not ready to surrender even after the Atomic bombs. The Cabinet and the Top Generals wanted to continue the war. The Emperor had began back stage negotiations with McAurthur and agreed for a surrender provided he would not be tried.

 

[kalu_miah]

1. First Pakistan (pre-71) and now BD have lost the bus as well as the train in Arakan. A people who are no different to Bangladeshis and a land of rich resources, have been ignored by successive administrations. The strategic advantages of Arkan to BD has never been realized either by Pakistan or BD.

2. So now we have arrived at a stage where Uncle Sam has smelled the oil and gas in Arakan. Arakan looks set on a course to become a Kosovo or Muslim E Timor.

Asad71 Bhai, since the Mughal's gave permission to the English and other Europeans to establish trading posts, we lost the plot. It has brought us through 1757, 1857, 1947, 1971 down towards today. South Asian Muslims have been clueless and radar less for a very long time and I think we are still clueless.

But instead of lamenting for the past, we got to take stock of the present and look towards the future.

This is a dangerous and unique spot, Burma has borders with both India and China, it has significant Chinese migrants (4 millions by some estimate) who have become a much bigger threat than Rohingya who are weak and vulnerable and are much smaller in number. The Chinese migrants are relatively more rich and powerful. And now the US is getting into the game. I think the Burman's are scared of these too many Chinese migrants (I posted an article by a Burman saying the same thing) and are using the racist lady Suu Kyi as a poster-lady to get in bed with the US led West. India is also hoping to get its land route access via Sittwe port.

So this will be an interesting game right in our neighborhood with implications for our future. US approach to Bangladesh is definitely related to this immediate neighborhood dimension, as well as the greater regional dimension in (South East Asia + East Asia). Offshore oil and gas of course is a big factor, like you mentioned. US corporations move in to make money and US govt. follow them and make sure these corporate interests are protected.

Everyone is after their goodies, we just need to figure how we can get our goodies which are important to us. ASEAN entry would be one I would consider very high in the list, as it could possibly neutralize this India domination problem in the long term.

 

[PlanetSoldier]

Sounds like a good proposition but Bangladesh could not afford it. I think, however, that we are seeing the Burma situation in isolation. There is now instability in the Seven Sisters, Arakan and Chittagong. None of this is happening by itself. There is an international agenda here ......

You got the point...either regional or international .

 

[eastwatch]

1) USA is not in the BoB zone to break Arakan away from Burma just to get hold of oil in the Arakan coast, this is what some posters are suggesting. An unstable Burma is a headache for USA. Moreover, these small-time Rohingya thieves are no fighters. They do not have the gutts to sacrifice lives.

2) Oil can be be bought by the USA with cash dollars. Burma may allow US oil companies to operate in the BoB. So, why USA to separate Arakan?

3) USA is engaging Bangladesh and Burma

- in order to deny China a FULL-FLEDGED naval facility in the BoB more than it wants
a similar facility. USA probably wants a docking facility in BD and

- not to allow China a much covetted road/rly link through Burma from its Yunnan to the
BoB

4) In order to appease Burma, USA will open its market to low value textile imports from Burma as a carrot.

5) China and Chinese are disliked by the Burmese, and western educated Su Kii is the person USA will depend upon to pursue its policy.

6) This entanglement will cause China to half suffocate. It will have to permanently accept the present long sea route via Malacca Straight under the close watch of US navy.


Only future knows what China may do, but, it will take a very long time before China can reinstate its previous influence with Burma. Some other options China may think over:

1) Send covert helps to the rebels in the Burmese northwest and in Arakan. It will keep Burma busy and force it to spend money. Help Burmese NW and Arakan to break away from Burma.

2) Covertly instigate a full-fledged rebellion in the Indian NE, free it from Indian occupation and recognise it as an independent State.

3) This creates a border between NE and BD. China gets a link to the BoB through a friendly NE and BD.

4) Alternately, China accepts Indian sovereignty over Arunachal and gets a link through Indian NE and BD.

5) China needs a link to BoB in order to develop its south and south west. It is a vast country that equals indian sub-Continent plus SE asia. Its few Pacific ports are long distance from these regions. Contrary to what we assume, only the Pacific belt has so far developed. So, China needs BoB link to develop other parts.

China will bite its time and do whatever is needed to safeguard its national intersts. However, the best option for China is a link through Burma. I believe, unless it is given a link to BoB through Burma MAY cause huge turmoil in the entire region encompassing China, India, Bd and burma.

Anyway, no one can really predict future outcome of international affairs. Whatever I have written here is a kind of hypothesis that resulted from spontaneous thinking. Things may or may not not unravel the way I have put it in this post.