Dhaka for pragmatic ties with Yangon

Dhaka will maintain relations with Yangon based on mutual self-interests and pragmatism, but supports UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari's efforts and may join a Thai initiative for a group of Myanmar's neighbours to resolve the ongoing crisis there.
"Bangladesh has a very secular relationship with Myanmar, as much as it requires to maintain good bilateral relations between two neighbours seeking their own interests," Foreign Adviser Iftekhar A Chowdhury told The Daily Star last night.
At least three deals between Bangladesh and Myanmar have already stalled due to the crisis that also pushed back Dhaka's efforts to involve Myanmar in the Asian Highway Network.
But Dhaka's pragmatic approach of pursuing bilateral interests with Myanmar does not preclude the continuing support to the UN initiative to reconcile tension between the military junta and the pro-democracy opposition, said the foreign adviser.
Iftekhar publicly supported the Gambari initiative yesterday, after he met a farewell call by Thai Ambassador Suphat Chitranukroh. "We've already said Bangladesh supports the Gambari initiative under UN auspices," he said.
Dhaka may also join a Thailand-initiated grouping of neighbours to hold talks with Myanmar, highly-placed foreign ministry officials told The Daily Star.
Iftekhar also hinted at such a move after his meeting with the outgoing Thai ambassador, saying, "Yes, we will seek to work with Thailand and other neighbours on the issue."
The foreign adviser is also hopeful about engagement of the Myanmar government as they have also agreed to end a four-year ban on Human Rights Rapporteur.
"We are pleased to learn today [yesterday] that Myanmar will accept a visit by Human Rights Rapporteur Paolo Pinheiro after four years. This shows that patience often pays in such matters," he said.
Iftekhar met Gambari during his recent trip to New York, where they held discussions on Dhaka's potential role in resolving the Myanmar crisis.
Thailand is reported to be looking at forging a five-country grouping of Myanmar's neighbours to hold talks with the military leadership there.
China has already released strong statements that the ongoing crisis is Myanmar's "internal matter".
On October 20, US President George W Bush urged India and China to do more to put pressure on Myanmar's military rulers in an effort to end repression of democracy supporters.
''I ask other counties to review their own laws and policies, especially Burma's closest neighbours, China, India, and others in the region,'' Bush said.
Gambari, who is on a mission to coordinate efforts among key governments in Asia to help resolve the crisis, has already held discussions with officials of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Gambari is scheduled to go to Myanmar next month for another round of talks with the junta and the opposition seeking a democratic set-up.
He met the junta leaders in Myanmar in September after troops opened fire on peaceful protests in Yangon.