“SECRETIVE INITIATIVE”
Critics of Thailand’s initiative say it risks legitimising Myanmar’s military government and is inappropriate because it is outside the official ASEAN peace initiative, known as the “five-point consensus”.
Others questioned why Thailand called the talks now, when it is expected to have a new government in August after the pro-military coalition was soundly beaten in May 16 elections by progressive and populist parties.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn was to attend the meeting, his government said in a statement on Friday.
Other ASEAN members have declined Thailand’s invitation, including this year’s chair, Indonesia, as well Singapore, whose foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, said on Friday “it would be premature to re-engage with the junta at a summit level or even at a foreign minister level”.
Vietnam’s government said its foreign minister would not attend “due to a prior engagement”.
Malaysia also would not be attending, said two sources with knowledge of the matter. The Philippines, which had not responded to questions by Sunday morning, is seen as firmly in the camp of isolating Myanmar’s generals.
Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government, made up of loyalists to Aung Sang Suu Kyi’s ousted administration, has condemned the Thai initiative.
“Inviting the illegitimate junta to this discussion will not contribute to the resolution of Myanmar’s political crisis,” the group said in a statement on Saturday.
A group of 81 Myanmar activist groups released an open letter on Sunday condemning the “secretive initiative”, saying it was in “blatant contradiction” with ASEAN’s policy of not inviting junta officials to high-level meetings.
“We demand the caretaker Thai government cancel this meeting immediately,” the letter said.
Source: CNA
