Our attention has been drawn to the news item(s) appeared in BurmaNet dated October 23, 2001 and other international media, including the Burmese SPDC press, implicating Rohingya groups to have connection with terrorist organisation. So far Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) is concerned, we strongly reject any direct or indirect link with any terrorist organisation.
ARNO condemns the terrorist attacks in United State on 11 September 2001 and believes that terrorism is an evil on earth that knows no homeland, nationality, religion, or race and so everybody must disown it and condemn it. At the same time, the importance of making distinction between terrorism or wanton killing of innocent people and freedom struggle or the right to fight against injustice must not be overlooked.
Terrorism practiced by the state is most dangerous and, in this connection, it is to be mentioned that the Burmese SPDC is a terrorist military clique, which is practicing the most outrageous crimes and has killed hundreds and thousands of innocent civilians and democracy activists across the country. SPDC with the vested interests is now trying to exploit the grave situation the world is facing today, in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in United States, and is making conspiracy to discredit its oppositions particularly the Rohingya organisations — being Muslim groups– and to "tar them with the same brush".
It may here be mentioned that ARNO is one of the two component organisations of Arakan Independence Alliance (AIA) and the other is National United Party of Arakan (NUPA) which is made of largely Rakhine or Buddhist community of Arakan. AIA is a joint freedom movement of the all people of Arakan, without distinction as to race, colour, or religion in order to liberate and restore their lost independence.
The former Arakan Rohingya Islamic Front (ARIF) is no more in existence as it was already dissolved and merged into ARNO. Thus the question of its alleged link with Osama Bin laden Network does not arise anymore.
The Burmese military has subjected the Rohingya Muslims of Arakan to large scale persecution, ethnic cleansing, genocide and extermination. As a result, nearly half of their population have been in exile in many countries of the world while those still at home are counting their days in utter dismay and frustration, on account of SPDC's continued state terrorism.
In recent weeks, Muslims in Burma have become vulnerable after terrorist attacks in the United States and conflict in Afghanistan. The military SPDC or citizens of other ethnic groups may think that they can justify anti-Muslim activities as part of "the war on terrorism." Increasing signs of Muslim and Islam hatred and climate of victimization of Muslims in Burma have been reported across the country. Persistent rioting and clashes between Muslims and Buddhists, destruction of Muslim shops and houses in towns and cities, tightening of travel and worship restrictions on the Muslims and stepping up of persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Arakan have taken place. SPDC is responsible for these violence on religious line.
At this trying situation, we also condemn the Burmese military SPDC for perpetrating state terrorism.
Central Executive Committee
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation
Arakan.
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation
Arakan.
October 29, 2001.