Burma, Bangladesh warships swarm over disputed zone

by Nyein Chan
Thursday, 15 October 2009 18:23

Dhaka (Mizzima) – War clouds seem to be hovering over the Bay of Bengal with at least five Burmese and four Bangladeshi warships being deployed in the disputed maritime zones, sources said.

From October 12, the Burmese Navy based in Kyaukphyu, Arakan State had stationed five warships, about 50 nautical miles west of St. Martin’s Island, while the Chittagong-based Bangladeshi Navy on October 13 despatched four warships to the disputed area.

Burmese authorities had earlier protested against Bangladesh’s exploration of oil and gas in the disputed maritime zone and warned the US Company ConocoPhillips, which received exploration rights from Bangladesh, not to go ahead.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni on October 8 said at a Press conference in Dhaka that Bangladesh will take the disputed issue to the United Nations and seek to resolve the maritime wrangle, which involves India, Burma and Bangladesh.

The warships were sent near the disputed zone about four days after Bangladeshi Foreign Minister said Bangladesh will take the issue to the UN.

The dispute resurfaced in 2007, when exploration of gas and oil by Burmese regime was objected to by the Bangladesh government.