Myanmar's president blamed nationalist and religious extremists for the violence between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine State in October that killed at least 89 people, and the United Nations said he had promised to address the underlying problems.
Thein Sein's remarks, in a meeting with Buddhists and Muslims carried by state television late on Friday and in a letter to the United Nations, came three days before U.S. President Barack Obama is due to visit the country, also known as Burma.
A Reuters investigation into a wave of sectarian assaults on Muslims in the state painted a picture of organized attacks led by Rakhine nationalists tied to a powerful political party in the state, incited by Buddhist monks and, some witnesses said, abetted by local security forces.
The United States has suspended sanctions on Myanmar and removed an import ban in recognition of Thein Sein's political and economic reforms after half a century of military rule, but it still wants him to end ethnic conflict and release all political prisoners.
MRTV television said action had been taken against 1,081 people in connection with the violence in Rakhine, giving no details about those people or their offences.
"There were nationalist and religious extremists who incited and agitated improperly behind the scenes to spread the violence in the region," Thein Sein told the religious leaders.
"Besides, there were some foreign organizations and nations who tried to fuel the flame by circulating false and fabricated news," he said, without identifying them.
"The country will lose face among the international community if we fail to pursue the norms of human rights and humanitarian work being practised in many countries," he said, calling for concerted efforts by the government, Buddhist monks and people of all races and religion to work for a harmonious society where each could be respected.
source : http://abna.ir
