Suu Kyi talks terror, illegal immigrants

In speech, Burma leader says world instability caused in part by displaced peoples

Myanmar's Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, left, talks with Federica Mogherini, right, High Representative of European Union foreign policy during during group photo session before the Asia Europe Foreign Ministers (ASEM) meeting at Myanmar International Convention Centre Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.
Myanmar's Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, left, talks with Federica Mogherini, right, High Representative of European Union foreign policy during during group photo session before the Asia Europe Foreign Ministers (ASEM) meeting at Myanmar International Convention Centre Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.

CORRECTION: Burma’s State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, speaking at a meeting of foreign ministers Monday, said that instability around the world is creating problems such as illegal immigration. “Conflicts around the world are giving rise to new threats and emergencies; illegal migration, spread of terrorism and violent extremism, social disharmony and even the threat of nuclear war. Conflicts take away peace from societies, leaving behind underdevelopment and poverty, pushing peoples and even countries away from one another.” The Associated Press, inaccurately transcribing her remarks, incorrectly said Suu Kyi linked illegal immigration to the spread of terrorism and violent terrorism.”

NAYPYITAW, Burma -- Burma's leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Monday that the world is facing instability and conflict in part because illegal immigration spreads terrorism, as her country faces accusations of violently pushing out hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims.

Suu Kyi did not directly mention the refugee exodus in a speech to European and Asian foreign ministers in Burma's capital, Naypyitaw. But her speech highlighted the views of many in the country who see the Rohingya as illegal immigrants and accuse them of terroristic acts.

The ongoing Rohingya exodus was expected to be raised by the visitors at the meetings Monday and today.

Suu Kyi said the world is in a new period of instability as conflicts around the world give rise to new threats and emergencies, citing "Illegal immigration's spread of terrorism and violent extremism, social disharmony and even the threat of nuclear war. Conflicts take away peace from societies, leaving behind underdevelopment and poverty, pushing peoples and even countries away from one another."

Burma has been widely criticized for the military crackdown that has driven more than 620,000 Rohingya to flee Rakhine state into neighboring Bangladesh. The United Nations has said the crackdown appears to be a campaign of "ethnic cleansing," and some have called for re-imposing international sanctions that were lifted as Burma transitioned from military rule to elected government.

Foreign ministers and representatives of 51 countries are meeting in Naypyitaw in a forum that aims to further political and economic cooperation but takes place against the backdrop of the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis.

A flurry of diplomatic activity preceded Monday's opening, with the foreign ministers of Germany and Sweden joining the European Union's foreign policy chief in a visit to the teeming refugee camps in Bangladesh. China's Wang Yi was also in Bangladesh and met privately with Suu Kyi on Sunday in Burma after that trip.

On Monday China's Foreign Ministry said Burma and Bangladesh have endorsed its call for a negotiated resolution of the crisis.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters that a three-stage solution proposed by China has been accepted by the neighboring countries. The plan, which begins with a cessation of hostilities leading to talks, was proposed by Wang. It remains unclear what mediating role China might play.

"We hope that the relevant proposals can not only be useful in resolving the Rohingya issue at present, but can also help solve this problem at its root," Lu said.

Suu Kyi is Burma's foreign minister and state councilor, a title created for the country's once-leading voice for democracy since she is constitutionally banned from the presidency. She does not command the military and cannot direct its operations in northern Rakhine state, but her remarks in seeming support of the brutal crackdown have damaged her global reputation.

Burma is often called Myanmar, a name that military authorities adopted in 1989. Some nations, such as the United States and Britain, have refused to adopt the name change.

In her speech to the visiting foreign ministers, Suu Kyi also cited natural disasters caused by climate change as compounding the world's problems. She said mutual understanding of problems like terrorism would be crucial for peace and economic development.

"I believe that if policymakers develop a true understanding on each of those constraints and difficulties, the process of addressing global problems will become easier and more effective," she said. "It is only through mutual understanding that strong bonds of partnership can be forged."

The EU's top diplomat said earlier Monday that she is encouraging Suu Kyi to implement the recommendations of an expert panel on ensuring stability in Rakhine state and work was still needed on that.

The commission, led by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, called for promoting investment and community-directed growth to alleviate poverty in Rakhine, which Burma officials have supported. But it also called for Burma to grant citizenship and ensure other rights to the Rohingya, which are hotly disputed and effectively render most of them stateless.

"Stopping the violence, stopping the flow of refugees and [guaranteeing] full humanitarian access to Rakhine state and safe, sustainable repatriation of the refugees is going to be needed," said Federica Mogherini, the high representative for EU foreign policy.

She said the EU was encouraging Bangladesh and Burma to work on that issue.

Information for this article was contributed by staff members of The Associated Press.

A Section on 11/21/2017

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