Bangladesh mobilizes warships over Burma gas tensions

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=8960&icid=4&d_str=20081103


Bangladesh mobilized three warships and said it would take ''all possible measures'' to protect its territory on Monday after accusing neighboring Burma of encroaching on its seawaters to hunt for gas.

Bangladesh will also send a high-level delegation to Burma to ''defuse'' tensions between the two countries, according to a statement issued by the foreign ministry.

Bangladesh's foreign minister Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said he had warned Myanmar's envoy to Dhaka that ''all steps would be taken to protect the sovereignty and territory of Bangladesh.''

The Bangladesh Navy warships took up position near disputed waters in the Bay of Bengal to face off with the Burmese exploration fleet, top navy officials said in southeastern port city of Chittagong.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE