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Disputed drilling rig sparks tension

DHAKA: Bangladesh has said Myanmar has started removing an oil and gas rig from the Bay of Bengal, well within Bangladesh’s territorial water, as diplomatic efforts began to show results.

The announcement came as Bangladesh moved diplomatically, and also deployed four ships and put the armed forces on alert after the Korean company, Daewoo, escorted by Myanmar’s ships, began work in the disputed area. As tension mounted due to the gas exploration in Bangladesh’s territorial waters, Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told reporters on Sunday: “What I have heard from the ground is that Daewoo company is slowly removing its rig.”

Mr. Chowdhury said: “Our ships will remain there until Myanmar withdraws its vessels.” He hoped Myanmar would not conduct any further exploration until the neighbours can demarcate maritime boundary through talks. Bangladeshi officials visited Myanmar last week but the talks apparently failed. The next round of talks will be in Dhaka on November 16-17. Mr. Chowdhury also said Dhaka welcomed the shifting of the rig. Dhaka is keen to peacefully resolve the issue with its neighbour.

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