ASEAN envoy says urged restraint from Myanmar military, discussed Suu Kyi access

Cambodia’s Overseas Minister Prak Sokhonn talks throughout his information convention after the ASEAN international ministers’ assembly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, February 17, 2022. REUTERS/Cindy Liu/File Photograph

PHNOM PENH, March 23 (Reuters) – A Southeast Asian envoy mentioned on Wednesday he had urged Myanmar’s ruling navy to point out restraint throughout offensives and was advised by the junta chief there could be no entry to ousted chief Aung San Suu Kyi whereas her trial was ongoing.

Prak Sokhonn, particular envoy for the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), mentioned he sought the discharge of prisoners together with Australian economist Sean Turnell, and junta boss Min Aung Hlaing advised him he would contemplate a request to see Suu Kyi and different detainees in future.

Suu Kyi was overthrown by the navy in a coup final 12 months that sparked chaos and bloodshed within the nation after a decade of tentative democratic reform.

The Nobel laureate is on trial for greater than a dozen offences together with violating a state secrets and techniques act and a number of counts of corruption. She has been discovered responsible of a number of crimes already, however has rejected all expenses.

Prak Sokhonn mentioned he understood that critics seen his journey to Myanmar this week as legitimising the junta. However he added he sees the two-day go to as a optimistic step in direction of resolving the disaster, which he mentioned couldn’t be completed throughout Cambodia’s ASEAN chairmanship this 12 months.

“The Myanmar problem is sophisticated, it wants a very long time to resolve, we will not remedy it throughout one chairmanship or the present chairmanship,” he advised reporters on his return to Cambodia.

“I do know of varied ranges of expectations on the go to, I additionally know of people that wish to see a ceasefire and me assembly all concerned events, and the return to normalcy of democracy,” he mentioned.

“I perceive causes behind criticism, they do not need me being giving legitimacy to the state councilors,” he mentioned, referring to the junta.

Prak Sokhonn’s journey has pissed off opponents to Myanmar’s junta as a result of it was centred largely on the generals, with most conferences with different events cancelled.

ASEAN has barred the generals from attending its summits till they see progress in a five-point “consensus” agreed final 12 months to finish the violence.

The United Nations final week mentioned the military had dedicated struggle crimes and crimes towards humanity and was intentionally concentrating on civilians. The navy has but to reply.

Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Writing by Martin Petty
Enhancing by Ed Davies and Kanupriya Kapoor

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