Dhaka, Nov 07: Bangladesh on Friday said it would
withdraw its warships deployed in the Bay of Bengal only after
Myanmar assures that it would halt gas exploration work in the
disputed waters even as Yangon called back two naval vessels
from the zone.
"We will keep our presence in the (disputed) region
until we are confident about their (Myanmar's) gesture,"
Foreign Adviser to the interim cabinet Iftekhar Ahmed
Chowdhury told reporters today as diplomatic endeavours visibly
resulted in the suspension of hydrocarbon exploration by
Yangon-engaged South Korean company.
Meanwhile, Yangon overnight withdrew two warships leaving
two missile boats at the scene but reports said that they
moved some troops in the frontiers along southeast Bangladesh.
"They withdrew two navy ships but we received reports of
some troops movement along the border. However they have not
shown any offensive posture in the sea or along the land
border so far," a defence source said.
According to defence sources five Bangladeshi navy
vessels including a frigate and 2 missile boats and two
Myanmar missile boats are staying in close proximity while
the Korean rig continued the withdrawal process.
"We will do everything to maintain our sovereignty and
territory," Chowdhury said, adding he talked to envoys of
South Korea and Myanmar's close ally China while Bangladesh
ambassadors to the two countries were continuing talks with
the Seoul and Beijing authorities to resolve the standoff.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, November 07, 2008, 00:00