US to remain beside Bangladesh to resolve Rohingya crisis: Curtis

The US government will remain beside Bangladesh to resolve the long-standing Rohingya crisis and ensure safe, secure and dignified return of Rohingya people to their homeland in Myanmar's Rakhine State.

"The USA will work with Bangladesh for safe return of Rohingyas along with providing all out support to Bangladesh in Rohingya issue," said the visiting US Deputy Assistant to US President Donald Trump Lisa Curtis here today, reports BSS.

Talking to newsmen following her visit to Kutupalong Rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila of the district, she said her government would work so that the Rohingya people, who took shelter inside Bangladesh after persecution in Rakhine State, could return to their homeland with dignity.

In this connection, she put emphasis on full implementation of Kofi Annan Commission report for ensuring safe, secure and dignified return of the persecuted Rohingya people in Myanmar.

Curtis, Senior Director for South and Central Asia of the National Security Council in the White House, highly appreciated Bangladesh government for providing shelter to the huge number of Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds.

"The government definitely deserves appreciation for giving shelter to this huge amount of Rohingya population, which is a rare example in history," she said.

When her attention was drawn on recent tension in Bangladesh-Myanmar border, she said the USA is keeping her eyes on increasing military power in border areas along with Rohingya situation.

"We want to assure all quarters that we are working with international community for ensuring smooth repatriation of Rohingya people...we will work even with Myanmar government so that the Rohingya people could return to their homeland," she added.

She said the USA will want to know from Myanmar government about what it had done for implementing its commitment for taking back their nationals from Bangladesh.

The US delegation also visited Balukhali camp in Ukhiya and Shamlapur camp in Teknaf upazila.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat, among others, accompanied Lisa Curtis during the visit.

Lisa Curtis arrived in Dhaka yesterday on a three-day official visit to discuss bilateral issues, including security and the ongoing Rohingya crisis.