YANGON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar government has expressed welcome of the interim recommendations of its Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, chaired by former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, to address the issues in the state.
Referring to the interim report of the commission released here Thursday, the State Counselor's Office issued a statement late on the day welcoming the recommendations that include a renewed call for unimpeded access for humanitarian groups and journalists to the affected areas in northern Rakhine and for independent and impartial investigation of the allegations of crimes committed on and since Oct. 9, last year.
Thanking the commission for their constructive approach to the need for stability, peace and prosperity in Rakhine, the statement said the government concurs with the recommendations set forth in the report, believing that it will have a positive impact on the process of national reconciliation and development and assuring that the large majority of the recommendations will be implemented promptly.
In the video press conference given by the commission, Annan also recommended that Myanmar should allow the Muslim communities of Rakhine state to return to their villages and ultimately close down camps accommodating 120,000 internally displaced persons (IDP) since bouts of communal violence roiled the state in 2012.
Annan called for allowing those, who have gone through the citizenship verification process, access to freedom of movement and all rights of citizenship.
The statement of the State Counselor's Office went on to say that the Myanmar government is delighted to cooperate with the commission in its endeavor to assist in finding viable and sustainable solution to the complex situation in the Rakhine state.
The final report of the advisory commission on Rakhine State is said to be presented later this year.
Annan's nine-member advisory commission was formed by the Myanmar government in August last year with aim of resolving the protracted Rakhine regional issue.
The commission was to undertake assessments and make recommendations by focusing on conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, rights and reconciliation, institution building and promotion of development of Rakhine state.
