ASEAN chair warns of Myanmar peace plan rethink if executions continue

A employee adjusts an ASEAN flag at a gathering corridor in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 28, 2021. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng

PHNOM PENH, Aug 3 (Reuters) – The Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) might be pressured to rethink a peace plan agreed with Myanmar if its navy rulers execute extra prisoners, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen mentioned on Wednesday.

The ten-nation bloc, which is internet hosting a giant worldwide gathering this week, has pushed the Myanmar junta to observe a peace “consensus” agreed final yr and has condemned its current execution of 4 activists linked to a resistance motion, its first executions in many years.

“If extra prisoners are executed, we might be pressured to rethink…our position vis a vis ASEAN’s five-point consensus,” Hun Sen, the chair of ASEAN, mentioned in opening the assembly of its international ministers.

He mentioned ASEAN’s unity had been challenged by the Myanmar disaster, and whereas the peace plan had “not superior to everybody’s needs” there had been some progress on offering humanitarian support.

However Hun Sen mentioned the state of affairs had modified dramatically and was even worse than earlier than the peace settlement, as a result of junta’s execution of the activists, which he mentioned ASEAN states “are deeply upset and disturbed” by.

A senior State Division official on Wednesday mentioned america was “wanting what will be completed to each maintain and enhance the stress” on the Myanmar generals.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is amongst 27 international ministers set to affix the ASEAN Regional Discussion board safety assembly in Cambodia on Friday, which will even embrace counterparts from China, Russia, Japan, Britain and Australia.

The Myanmar junta final week defended the executions as “justice for the individuals”, dismissing a deluge of worldwide condemnation.

These activists had aided “terror acts”, it mentioned, referring to assaults by militias combating navy rule and in search of to avenge a lethal crackdown on protests. learn extra

GENERALS BARRED

Myanmar just isn’t represented at this week’s ASEAN conferences after its navy declined a proposal to ship a non-junta consultant. ASEAN has barred the generals till progress within the peace plan is demonstrated.

Some members of ASEAN, which has a convention of non-interference in one another’s inner affairs, have been more and more strident of their criticism of Myanmar.

Singapore’s international ministry mentioned Myanmar had “disrespected” the peace effort, including “with none progress on this entrance, additional engagement with the Myanmar navy authorities can be of restricted worth.”

Malaysian Overseas Minister Saifuddin Abdullah mentioned the junta has been irritating everybody in ASEAN and making a mockery of the peace settlement, which must be inclusive of its opponents.

“We remorse the truth that the junta has not been cooperative,” he added.

Greg Poling, director of Southeast Asia Research on the Washington-Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research mentioned the bloc was livid over the executions and “might be trying to show that ASEAN is not fully neutered.”

Nonetheless, an Asian diplomat, who declined to be recognized, questioned what new measures ASEAN can be ready to take.

“The five-point consensus was helpful as a result of Myanmar had agreed to it … are you able to do something with out Myanmar there? Actually, I do not know,” mentioned the diplomat.

ASEAN ministers voiced concern additionally over developments in Taiwan following the go to by U.S. home speaker, Nancy Pelosi.

“We hope that each one sides will attempt their greatest to de-escalate tensions and keep away from actions which will contribute to the escalation of tensions,” mentioned Kung Phoak, Secretary of State of Cambodia’s international ministry.

In a separate assertion, Myanmar’s international ministry took goal at Washington, a staunch critic of the junta, and mentioned Pelosi’s go to was inflicting an escalation of regional tensions.

“Myanmar opposes any provocative actions inflicting instabilities within the area and makes an attempt that goal to intrude in inner affairs of different states,” it mentioned.

Reporting by Narin Solar in Phnom Penh and David Brunnstrom; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty and Bernadette Baum

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