By Reuters and published by Channel NewsAsia
Bandar Seri Begawan – An Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit started today (Oct. 26) without military-ruled Myanmar, after its junta refused to send a representative following its leader’s exclusion for ignoring a peace road map agreed upon six months ago.
Asean had said that it would accept a non-political representative from Myanmar, but the junta said on Monday that it would only agree to its leader or a minister attending.
Myanmar’s absence was not mentioned by either Brunei, the Asean chair, or the 10-member bloc’s secretary-general at the opening of the virtual meeting.
Asean decided to sideline from the summit junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who led a Feb. 1 coup against an elected government, for his failure to cease hostilities, allow humanitarian access and start dialogue with opponents, as agreed with Asean in April.
After today’s leaders’ meeting, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Twitter that he fully supported Brunei’s decision on Myanmar’s representation, while Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Asean’s dealings with Myanmar were crucial for its reputation and a test of its resolve.
“Asean’s constructive role in addressing this situation is of paramount importance, and our action on this matter shall have a bearing on Asean’s credibility in the eyes of the international community,” Prayut said, according to his office.
The sidelining of Min Aung Hlaing was a huge insult to the junta, and a rare, bold step by a regional grouping known for its code of non-interference and engagement.
Myanmar’s military, which ruled the country for 49 of the past 60 years, objected strongly, accusing Asean of departing from its norms and of allowing itself to be influenced by other countries, including the United States.
Asean made the call days after its special envoy Erywan Yusof said that he would not be given access to all parties in the country, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is charged with multiple crimes.
‘Trust Asean’
Prayut, a former coup leader in Thailand, urged Myanmar to follow its commitments and pushed for Erywan to visit soon and make an “important first step in the process of confidence-building”.
Prayut “expressed hope that Myanmar will trust Asean in helping Myanmar to achieve peace and harmony, as well as to return to the democratic process”.
Myanmar security forces have killed more than 1,000 civilians and detained thousands more, subjecting many to torture and beatings, according to United Nations envoys, who say that the army’s excessive use of force has displaced tens of thousands of people.
Myanmar has rejected that as biased and exaggerated by unreliable sources, and says that the conflict is being stoked by “terrorists” allied with a shadow National Unity Government (NUG).
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan met on Monday with representatives of the NUG, an alliance of pro-democracy groups, local militias and ethnic minority armies formed after the coup.
Asean leaders were due also to collectively meet leaders of the US, China and South Korea.
US President Joe Biden will attend a joint session of the Asean summit by video link.
Michael Vatikiotis, Asia director of the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, said that Myanmar’s junta “probably cares about being frozen out of the summit”, although it has a history of enduring international isolation.
“The question now is whether regional leaders will agree to engage with the parallel National Unity Government more formally, as the US and EU have started to do,” he said.
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Top: A view shows the virtual 38th Asean summit in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, today, Oct. 26, 2021. Photo: Reuters/Ain Bandial and published by CNA
Home Page: Flags are seen outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) secretariat building, ahead of the Asean leaders’ meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 23, 2021. File photo: Reuters/Willy Kurniawan and published by CNA
