Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BANDARSERIBEGAWAN49
2009-03-13 07:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Cable title:  

BRUNEI DISTANCING ITSELF FROM ROHINGYA ISSUE

Tags:  PREF PHUM PREL BM BX 
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VZCZCXRO8407
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHBD #0049 0720715
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 130715Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4450
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0094
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0084
RUEHGVA/USMISSION GENEVA 0095
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000049 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG, PRM/ANE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2014
TAGS: PREF PHUM PREL BM BX
SUBJECT: BRUNEI DISTANCING ITSELF FROM ROHINGYA ISSUE

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission John McIntyre, Reasons 1.4 (b A
ND d)

BRUNEI NOT LIKELY TO ENGAGE ON ROHINGYA REFUGEE ISSUE
--------------------------------------------- ---------
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000049

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG, PRM/ANE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2014
TAGS: PREF PHUM PREL BM BX
SUBJECT: BRUNEI DISTANCING ITSELF FROM ROHINGYA ISSUE

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission John McIntyre, Reasons 1.4 (b A
ND d)

BRUNEI NOT LIKELY TO ENGAGE ON ROHINGYA REFUGEE ISSUE
-------------- --------------

1. (SBU) Deputy Chief of Mission met with Brunei Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MFA) to discuss Brunei's position regarding
the Rohingya refugee issue. Reading primarily from a
prepared text, MFA Deputy Director, Politics I, Haji Mulok
Jamat, stated that the Brunei's position is this is an issue
best solved with the larger ASEAN forum. However, he followed
up by saying that within ASEAN, Brunei believes that this is
primarily a Burmese issue. The Burmese must work with
Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia on any resettlement issues.
Mulok also noted that Brunei thinks that Bangladesh must
also play a role given what Brunei views are their long
standing historical ties with the Rohingya. When pressed if
Brunei sees any reasons (political, cultural, religious) to
take a more active role in this issue, Mulok stated
unequivocally no. Mulok did state that Brunei would like to
see a peaceful settlement to the issue but offer little more
in terms of a substantive response.


2. (C) COMMENT: Mulok stuck to the script and it is obvious
that Brunei has little interest in participation in the
Rohingya refugee issue. Mulok did make a slightly unexpected
observation regarding the Burmese government and stated the
Burmese government should do a better job of recognizing
Rohingya's rights and legal status. While an opinion held by
some in the MFA, this unscripted comment would likely not be
repeated verbatim in a larger forum. However, it does offer a
shred of hope of Brunei's support for greater recognition of
the Rohingya if the Brunei believed that this was an opinion
supported by others in ASEAN. Mulok also focused much of the
discussion on the historical connections between Bangladesh,
the Rohingya, and Burma. He said Rohingya's have no
cultural/ethnic connections with Brunei as well as limited
religious ties. End Comment
TODD