Indonesia says Asean must appoint Myanmar envoy immediately

Asean has been leading the main diplomatic effort on Myanmar since the Feb 1 coup plunged the country into chaos. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

JAKARTA (REUTERS) - Indonesia's Foreign Minister on Wednesday (June 2) called on Asean to immediately name an envoy to troubled Myanmar, more than a month after the bloc agreed on steps to try to end the turmoil after a military coup there.

Asean has been leading the main diplomatic effort on Myanmar since the Feb 1 coup plunged the country into chaos, with hundreds of killings by security forces, thousands jailed, daily protests, paralysing strikes and spreading conflict in border regions.

Little apparent progress has been made since Asean said at a meeting in Indonesia's capital in April that it had reached a "consensus" with the junta in member state Myanmar.

"The appointment of a special envoy must be done immediately and communication with all parties must be maintained," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told a video news conference in Jakarta.

The chair and secretary-general of Asean plan to travel to Myanmar in the coming days to follow up on the five-point consensus the 10-nation grouping said it had agreed upon, diplomatic sources said on Tuesday.

Those points included ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, the special Asean envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid, and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar.

Rather than agreeing to dialogue with opposition forces that have formed a rival National Unity Government, the junta has branded them as terrorists and traitors.

"Inclusive dialogue should be encouraged to solve the political crisis in Myanmar and to bring democracy back to Myanmar's political sphere in accordance with the will of the people of Myanmar," Dr Retno said.

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