LOOKEAST

LOOKEAST REPORT

China had warned all Burmese rebel groups to avoid supporting the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), a top rebel leader in Rakhine state has disclosed.

This comes as some surprise because it is an open secret that the ARSA is backed by China’s all weather friend Pakistan.

https://lookeast.in/ had exposed the deep links between Pakistan’s ISI and ARSA and how ISI Brigadier Ashfaq had instigated the August 24 attacks on 30 police stations in Rakhine.

So did Pakistan take such an initiative without Chinese concurrence ! Possible recurrence of the North Korean syndrome and the inevitable problem of having to control radical allies.

Below is excerpts of a recent interview of Arakan Army’s military chief Maj Gen Myat Tun Naing to a leading Burmese media outlet.

Tun Myat Naing, Commander–in–Chief of the Arakan Army. © Reuters

China reportedly told the Federal Political Negotiation Consultative Committee or FPNCC not to associate with Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and warned that it would face harsh action if it did so. What is the stance of the FPNCC on this ?

Maj Gen Tun Myat Naing: Chinese security officers came to us and enquired about ARSA. They told us not to support it. So we said that none of us would support jihadists who fight for religious causes. Ethnic armed organisations are fighting for their national demands. We assume that the other side [the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw] has misled China into thinking that ethnic armed groups may be connected with ARSA. In fact, it is our Rakhine State and Arakanese people who have been directly impacted by ARSA. We therefore have concerns. China has also concerns, and we can say we have the same stance. It is good for us that China has concerns.

Local political analysts speculate that the Arakan Army (AA) may be secretly supporting ARSA. What would you say to that?

Maj Gen Naing: It is ridiculous. It is either ignorant speculation or a deliberate provocation.

What would you like to say about Rohingyas identifying themselves as one of the ethnic groups in Rakhine State?

Maj Gen Naing: It is quite a complicated issue. I avoid answering this question as much as I can. Regarding the question of whether they are an ethnic group or not, it depends on the government’s definition of ethnicity concerning their racial identity, language, literature, customs, foods, religion and how they came to be living in Rakhine State. You can learn that from the records of the colonial period.

The reality is they are people of Bengali race living in Myanmar. And we see that the (National League for Democracy–led) government is taking steps to repatriate them after they fled to another country. ‘Repatriation’ means bringing somebody back to their own country. So according to my understanding, (the government) accepts that those who fled are Myanmar citizens.

I avoid answering this question as much as I can. Regarding the question of whether they are an ethnic group or not, it depends on the government’s definition of ethnicity concerning their racial identity, language, literature, customs, foods, religion and how they came to be living in Rakhine State. You can learn that from the records of the colonial period

If they are accepted as Myanmar citizens, they should have equal citizenship rights under existing laws. Repatriated refugees should not be kept in places like detention centres. If they are accepted, they should be treated in line with the law as Myanmar citizens. They should be allowed to travel freely throughout the country, and they should also be presented with job opportunities and rights to trade and education. If they want to go to foreign countries, Myanmar passports must be issued. Those people for their part need to respect the law and should be loyal to the country.

It is not wise for the government to address this problem superficially in response to pressure from the international community. But the government should lay down a clear policy first to solve the problem.

The international community views ARSA as a group fighting for the rights of Rohingya people, while the majority in Myanmar consider it an insurgent organisation. What is your personal view of ARSA?

Maj Gen Naing: I don’t see how their stance can be separated from religion. Assessing their earlier activities, it has acted like a jihadist movement. Ethnic armed organisations have not accepted it as a revolutionary group. The international community is overly concerned with human rights in those cases that do not directly affect their interests.

‘Repatriation’ means bringing somebody back to their own country. So according to my understanding, (the government) accepts that those who fled are Myanmar citizens. If they are accepted as Myanmar citizens, they should have equal citizenship rights under existing laws. Repatriated refugees should not be kept in places like detention centres. If they are accepted, they should be treated in line with the law as Myanmar citizens

No matter how much the international community accepts them, it is more important that Myanmar people accept them. It is more important that they harmonise with Myanmar people. Whether the international community accepts them or not is only one part of the problem. It is in Myanmar that the conflict is happening, so their acceptance by Myanmar people is what matters. Ethnic armed organisations have not recognised it as revolutionary group.

What did the FPNCC discuss regarding the NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) at the recent meeting?

Maj Gen Naing: We discussed what we were doing before the meeting as well as the current situation regarding the NCA, the government’s view on non–signatories, its relations with signatories, and progress in implementing the NCA. We want to negotiate with the government collectively, but the government wants to hold separate talks with individual members. The government held separate talks with the Wa and Mongla (who are also members of the FPNCC). They also presented what they discussed with the government. The government told them to sign the NCA, saying that no agreement in the world is unchangeable. We also exchanged views on it.

China built at a cost of US$2.45 billion, these dual pipelines – known officially as the Thelong Myanmar–China Oil and Gas Pipeline Project – run 771 km from the coast of Rakhine state to Yunnan province in south–western China.

The FPNCC previously said that it would find an alternative approach other than the NCA to the peace process. So why did you discuss the NCA this time ? Is it because of China, or some other factor ?

Maj Gen Naing: It is because we want to review the interests of the country and all possibilities, as well as because of China. Our view is that a ceasefire and political dialogue should involve separate agreements. Even if we sign a single agreement, ceasefire and political agreements should be separately stated. They said provisions in the agreement can be changed later, and we want to make sure it is not just a gentlemen’s agreement. We have previously submitted general policies and detailed demands. If they would recognise and accept them, there may be a way forward.

What stage have the FPNCC’s peace talks with the government reached ?

Maj Gen Naing: It is difficult to say for the time being. If the NCA can be changed, we will try constructively to accept it. But then, challenges remain. The government has excluded the Ta’ang, Kokang, and AA from the NCA. But China is pushing for the acceleration of Myanmar’s peace process. We at the FPNCC want to move forward together as a group. If the government does not compromise, the peace process will get nowhere. But if it is willing to negotiate with us as a group, there might be a way forward.

We will see how we Arakanese people who have lagged behind can connect with the world through this project. We were forgotten in resource extraction projects including the Kyaukphyu (special economic zone) project. We will try to advance the interests of our region

So, the FPNCC will hold talks with the government based on the NCA ?

Maj Gen Naing: Though China is pushing us, we will sign only when it is acceptable to us. It depends on how much the Myanmar government is willing to change (the NCA). If they echo the military and insist the NCA can’t be changed, it is finished.

What is the stance of the FPNCC on China’s Silk Road project?

Maj Gen Naing: It is a big project for the 21st century. We believe the project can contribute to the development of the whole region and that benefits will be shared by the countries. So, the FPNCC welcomes it, and we AA also welcome it. We will see how we Arakanese people who have lagged behind can connect with the world through this project. We were forgotten in resource extraction projects including the Kyaukphyu (special economic zone) project. We will try to advance the interests of our region. We have now better military and political foundations, and will make greater efforts for the interests of our region. ■

With inputs from The Irrawaddy