Suu Kyi cautions against using 'emotive terms' over Myanmar's Rohingya

Record ID: 102431

  • Title: Suu Kyi cautions against using 'emotive terms' over Myanmar's Rohingya
  • Date: 22nd May 2016
  • Summary: NAYPYITAW, MYANMAR (MAY 22, 2016) (REUTERS FOR AGENCY POOL) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** VARIOUS OF U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY, AND MYANMAR'S FOREIGN MINISTER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, MEETING AND TAKING A SEAT SECURITY OFFICER LOOKING ON KERRY AND SUU KYI ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) MYANMAR'S FOREIGN MINISTER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, SAYING: "The reason why I said that we've got to be very firm about not using emotive terms is because emotive terms make it very difficult for us to find a peaceful and sensible resolution of our problems." PERSON USING MOBILE PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (English) MYANMAR'S FOREIGN MINISTER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, SAYING: "What we are saying is that there are more important things for us to cope with than just the issue of nomenclature." CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MYANMAR'S FOREIGN MINISTER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, SAYING: "If our well-wishers are not ready to cooperate with us, it'll make our task that much more difficult which is not to say that we are going to back away from it. We will still accept it as our responsibility and we will try to do the best we can to resolve the problem to the benefit of both communities." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY, SAYING: "The name issue is obviously very sensitive and she's just spoken to the sensitivity." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY, SAYING: "At the same time, we all understand, as a matter of fact, that there is a group here in Myanmar that calls itself Rohingya - we understand that - and we've used that term ourselves sometimes. But what minister and I talked about today is very much in line with what she has just said and that is what's critical to focus on is solving the problem." JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (English) MYANMAR'S FOREIGN MINISTER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, SAYING: "I'm not afraid of sanctions, we'll get over this and I'm sure that the time will come soon when the United States will know that this is no longer the time for sanctions." CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY, SAYING: "The key to the lifting of the (remaining) sanctions is really the progress that is made within Myanmar in continuing to move down the road of democratisation." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS / JOURNALIST CAN BE HEARD ASKING (English) 'What I would like to ask you, Mr Secretary, is about the sanctions." (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY, SAYING: "We strongly support the democratic transition that is taking place here." KERRY AND SUU KYI LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 6th June 2016 13:51
  • Keywords: Myanmar Secretary of State John Kerry Aung San Suu Kyi US Rohingya
  • Location: NAYPYITAW, MYANMAR
  • City: NAYPYITAW, MYANMAR
  • Country: Myanmar
  • Reuters ID: LVA0014IW2E6F
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: PART AUDIO AS INCOMING
    Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi cautioned against using "emotive terms" over the plight of her country's Rohingya Muslim population, as visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pressed the Nobel laureate on Sunday (May 22) to promote respect for human rights.
    Some 125,000 Rohingya in Myanmar remain displaced and face severe travel restrictions in camps since fighting erupted in Rakhine State between the country's Buddhists and Muslims in 2012. Thousands have fled persecution and poverty.
    The United States has long supported Suu Kyi's role in championing democratic change in Myanmar, but was surprised this month when she suggested the new U.S. ambassador Scot Marciel refrain from using the term Rohingya for the persecuted Muslim minority.
    "Emotive terms make it very difficult for us to find a peaceful and sensible resolution to our problems," Suu Kyi told reporters at a joint news conference with Kerry in Naypyitaw on Sunday.
    Kerry said he had discussed the Rohingya issue with Suu Kyi during their meeting, describing it as "very sensitive" and "divisive".
    Last month hundreds of demonstrators protested in front of the U.S. Embassy in Yangon in objection to the use of the term Rohingya.
    The Rohingya are widely disliked in Myanmar, including by some within Suu Kyi's party and its supporters.
    The Rohingya, most of whom live in apartheid-like conditions, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and referred to by many as Bengalis.
    Ambassador Marciel has said he would keep using the term Rohingya because it is Washington's policy to do so.
    Kerry offered U.S. support for Myanmar's new government, but said there were still "important hurdles" for the country to overcome in its transition to full democracy from military rule.
    Last week, the Obama administration further eased economic and financial sanctions against Myanmar.
    Kerry said the easing of the sanctions was tied to progress made in the democratic process.
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