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Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing will go to Cambodia subsequent week to strengthen bilateral relations, with a political analyst urging Phnom Penh to make use of the go to to press the junta chief to finish violence, maintain dialogue, and cooperate with ASEAN.
Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to go to Cambodia from September 11 to 12 to “strengthen bilateral relations”, together with attending conferences with Cambodian leaders, in keeping with the Senate spokesperson Chea Thyrith.
Sophal Ear, a Cambodian-American political scientist and professor at Arizona State College, stated the go to wouldn’t quantity to formal recognition of Myanmar’s navy authorities, however warned that it may danger normalizing and legitimizing the regime.
He stated Cambodia ought to use the go to to press Min Aung Hlaing to “finish violence”, guarantee humanitarian entry and pursue inclusive political dialogue, whereas sustaining ASEAN’s 5-Level Consensus because the framework for engagement.
“Phnom Penh ought to clarify that engagement doesn’t change ASEAN’s 5-Level Consensus and that Cambodia continues to assist an finish to violence, humanitarian entry, and inclusive political dialogue,” Sophal stated.
He, nevertheless, warned that Min Aung Hlaing’s visits may danger weakening ASEAN’s collective strain on Myanmar and assist normalize the navy authorities.
“If the go to is principally ceremonial, it is going to be a lot more durable to argue that Cambodia is strengthening ASEAN diplomacy somewhat than serving to Myanmar circumvent it,” he stated.
ASEAN has barred Min Aung Hlaing from high-level summits since he ousted the democratically-elected authorities of Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained for the reason that 2021 navy coup.
The bloc has referred to as on the junta to considerably implement ASEAN’s 5-Level Consensus that will permit the tip to violence and guarantee higher entry for humanitarian help, amongst different situations.
Impartial Cambodian political analyst Seng Vanly, echoed Sophal’s views, saying that the go to may legitimize the junta internationally if he receives a full state welcome with out Cambodia addressing Myanmar’s violence, political repression and Asean’s 5-Level Consensus.
“Cambodia ought to due to this fact use the go to rigorously and clarify that engagement doesn’t imply endorsement,” he stated.
He additionally urged Phnom Penh to publicly reaffirm ASEAN’s 5-Level Consensus, and lift issues concerning the violence and political repression within the nation, and have dialogue with all related Myanmar stakeholders somewhat than deal solely with military-backed authorities.
Authorities spokesperson Pen Bona declined to remark, whereas Overseas Affairs Ministry spokesperson Chann Rotana, couldn’t be reached for remark.
