Dhaka: Burma's ambassador to Bangladesh, U Phe Than U, told Bangladesh's foreign adviser yesterday that Burma did not intrude into Bangladesh territory, and has been exploring for oil and gas within its own waters, not Bangladesh's, said an official.

The Burmese ambassador made the statement to Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed when he was summoned to the foreign ministry yesterday for a second time within 24 hours.

According to a foreign ministry source, Iftekhar Ahmed told the Burmese ambassador that several Burmese vessels had intruded into Bangladesh's territorial waters for hydrocarbon exploration near deep sea blocks 8-13, which have been claimed by Bangladesh.

However, the Burmese ambassador responded by claiming that the area in question is Burmese, and the exploration is entirely within Burma's territory.

During the meeting, Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed told the ambassador that Bangladesh is a peace-loving country, and "we do not want to go for any confrontation, as Burma is our friendly neighbor."

However, he also added that Bangladesh will take all steps to protect its sovereignty and territory. He said, "We want to put an end to this situation forthwith - we want to resolve the matter diplomatically."

Bangladesh's foreign minister told the Burmese ambassador that Bangladesh will be sending Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain to Burma as a special envoy to lodge a protest with the high officials in Burma so that the situation does not get out of control.

The Bangladesh mission is expected to leave for Burma tomorrow morning.

The Bangladesh foreign ministry also called the South Korean ambassador to Dhaka and asked him to withdraw Daewoo ships that are working with Burma.

Ships of the South Korean company Daewoo are not 50 nautical miles southwest of St. Martin Island, which is located in the mouth of the Naff River. The Naff River forms the boundary between the land of Bangladesh and Burma.

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