Myanmar Leader Condemns Rakhine Violence in U.N. Letter

Myanmar's president has condemned sectarian violence that has left scores dead and promised to handle many of the grievances, U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon announced Friday.

President Thein Sein made the vow in a letter to Ban in which he said the perpetrators of the violence in Rakhine state would face justice, U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

The letter, containing a strongly worded condemnation by Thein Sein of the ongoing violence, came as the reformist president faces criticism from the United Nations and Muslim countries over its treatment of stateless Rohingya Muslims.

"In the letter the president condemned the 'criminal acts' of elements inside his country that caused the 'senseless violence' that resulted in widespread loss of life, destruction of property and displacement of families in the Rakhine State," Nesirky said.

"He promised to deal with the perpetrators in accordance with the rule of law."

More than 100,000 people have been displaced in Myanmar since June in two major outbreaks of violence in Rakhine state between the Rohingyas and Buddhists. Dozens have been killed on both sides and thousands of homes torched.

Thein Sein said that "once emotions subside on all sides" his government was prepared to "address contentious political dimensions, ranging from resettlement of displaced populations to granting of citizenship," the spokesman said.

The government would also look at "issues of birth registration, work permits and permits for movement across the country for all, in line with a uniform national practice across the country ensuring that they are in keeping with accepted international norms."

The U.N. said that Thein Sein met Buddhist and Muslim community leaders on Friday and "strongly called" on them "to exert maximum effort to foster harmony and cooperation between the communities."

Ban welcomed the letter and meeting "as positive steps in the right direction," said the spokesman.

He said the assurances made by Thein Sein "would be carefully noted by the international community."

Thein Sein had asked for international assistance and Ban said the United Nations will work closely with the government to help victims in Rakhine state.