Cambodian PM worries over Myanmar moves

Prime Minister Hun Sen had on Friday conveyed his concerns over the matter in a letter to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the Myanmar State Administration Council.

In the letter, Mr Hun Sen said “ASEAN is at the center of major powers’ geostrategies, while the competition and rivalries among them are escalating. In light of this development, a lot of attention is now focused on developments in ASEAN and its credibility and effectiveness as a people-centered regional family. The development in Myanmar is under the spotlight and much observed by people around the globe.

“The death sentences and reported planned execution of a number of anti-junta individuals have attracted great concern among ASEAN member states, as well as ASEAN external partners. Cambodia believes that this planned execution if indeed carried out, will trigger a very strong and widespread negative reaction from the international community.”

He said the executions would have a devastating effect on ASEAN and Cambodia’s efforts, as the Chair of ASEAN, to support Myanmar to return to normalcy and find a peaceful solution to the current crisis through an inclusive process of dialogue, in line with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.

“Therefore, with deep concern and sincere desire to help Myanmar achieve peace and national reconciliation, I would like to earnestly request you and the State Administrative Council (SAC) to reconsider the sentences and refrain from carrying out the death sentences given to those anti-SAC individuals,” Mr Hun Sen said.

Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that the plans to execute opposition government officials would only deepen Myanmar’s political crisis.

Phea doubts if much could be achieved through Sokhonn’s second visit saying “nothing can change the political situation in Myanmar”.

He said the attitude of the military leader does not indicate the intention or willingness to cooperate fully in resolving the political crisis.

“In addition, the government does not want to distribute humanitarian aid to the victims.

“Not only did it not cooperate to solve the problem, but the military government planned to execute more opposition officials. It adds an extra dimension to the political crisis in Myanmar” he said.

He said ASEAN’s move to implement its Five-Point Consensus, shows its willingness to participate in solving problems.

SOURCE: NEW AGENCY