 Dhaka: �Bangladesh sent three navy ships to disputed waters near Burma to protect its territory after Burmese ships intruded into the area to explore for gas and oil, stated a report of a Bangladesh official.
The report said, "Three naval ships of Bangladesh - BNS Abu Bakar, BNS Madhumati, and BNS Nirvoy - went to the spot challenging the Burmese ships."
The deployment came about after two naval warships escorted four Burmese ships into Bangladesh maritime territory to explore for oil and gas, ignoring Bangladesh navy warnings. Bangladesh has now positioned three ships at the scene in response to the encroachment.
While the ships were being deployed to the disputed territory, Bangladesh's foreign minister summoned Burmese ambassador U Pe Then to transfer a letter of objection to Burmese authorities regarding Burma's intrusion for exploration.
"Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Towhid Hossain yesterday handed over a protest letter to Burma's ambassador in Dhaka, U Pe Than U, demanding withdrawal of the ships from the area until the maritime boundary is clearly demarcated through mutual understanding per the UN guideline," the report said.
According to a press note, the Burmese ambassador was requested to convey the protest note to his government. Bangladesh requested Burma to stop all its activities in the area per Bangladesh's 1974 Territorial Water and Maritimes Zones Act and added that the Bangladesh government has the right to protect its interests.
Sources said Burma's ships started the exploration 50 nautical miles southwest of St. Martin's Island. A South Korean company was awarded the oil and gas exploration contract there.
According to an official source, three Bangladesh navy ships are now in the area to discuss the issue with officials from the Burmese ships.
"The commanding officer of BNS Abu Bakar is currently in dialogue with the officers of Burma naval ships there," the official sources said.
The Burmese navy has responded by alleging that the Bangladesh ships are trespassing in Burmese territory.
"The Burmese navy told the Bangladesh navy that they have instructions from their government to come to these waters, and they suggested that our navy should talk to our higher-ups," said source quoting the Bangladesh navy.
At least 50 people are reported to be working on the four exploration ships, two of which are registered in the Bahamas, one in Belize, and one in India.
A competent government source said the the spot was "well inside" Bangladesh' maritime boundary. Despite this, Bangladesh officials hope that the dispute can be resolved through dialogue, as Bangladesh has very good relations with Burma.
During Bangladesh-Burma maritime delimitation talks held in Dhaka in September, it was determined that the matter would be raised at the upcoming talks with Burma on 16 and 17 November.
The Bay of Bengal has become a very important area, particularly after India's discovery of 100 trillion cubic feet of gas in 2005 and 2006, and Burma's discovery of seven trillion cubic feet of gas during the same time. India also discovered oil deposits in the area.
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