The military junta will not block the visit of special envoy Erywan Yusof, but he will not be allowed to speak with the country's former leader, who is still on trial. The military criticizes the UN for using "double standards." Diplomatic standoff within Asean.
Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Myanmar's ruling military will not allow the Asean special envoy to meet former National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. But he will be allowed to enter and visit the country and talk to the current leadership, says military junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun.
On February 1, the Tatmadaw (the Burmese army) took control of the country with a coup d'état, arresting Suu Kyi, who is currently on trial, and then violently repressing the anti-coup protests.
Zaw Min Tun criticized the United Nations for approving the appointment of the military junta's UN ambassador with some delay. International organizations, he said, "should avoid double standards when they are engaging in international affairs".
The international community is trying to put pressure on the Burmese army and force it to accept a five-point peace plan proposed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) that was accepted in April by General Min Aung Hlaing, the country's self-proclaimed prime minister.
Asean's special envoy, Erywan Yusof, stressed that the junta's inaction is tantamount to a withdrawal from the agreements. In recent weeks, some member countries of the Association have questioned General Min Aung Hlaing's participation in the Southeast Asian organization's summit meetings. The foreign ministers of the member countries have not yet reached a decision on the matter.
However, Erywan said a few days ago that he had consulted the parties in Myanmar, adding that he is looking forward to visiting the country even though he will not be able to meet Aung San Suu Kyi.