US meets Myanmar opposition, pledges expanded support
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Motorists riding past a burnt-out building in Lashio, in Myanmar's northern Shan State, on Aug 10, following fighting between Myanmar's military and armed rebels.
PHOTO: AFP
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WASHINGTON - US officials met virtually with members of Myanmar's opposition movement on Aug 16 and pledged to expand direct support to help a transition to civilian government and agreeing on the need to maintain pressure on the military junta, the State Department said.
News of the meeting came after Washington's regional rival China urged neighbouring countries to help war-torn Myanmar advance its peace and reconciliation process when its foreign minister met counterparts from Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
A US statement said the Aug 16 meeting involved State Department counsellor Tom Sullivan, USAID assistant administrator Michael Schiffer and leading members of Myanmar's pro-democracy National Unity Government, the National Unity Consultative Council, and key resistance organisations, the Karen National Union, Karenni National Progressive Party, and the Chin National Front.
Myanmar's state media said on Aug 15 that China had promised technical support to conduct a census, followed by an election, signalling Beijing's backing to a junta cornered by an armed rebellion
Myanmar has been in turmoil since 2021 when the military ousted an elected civilian government
In their meeting, Mr Sullivan and the opposition groups the groups agreed on the importance of maintaining pressure on the military regime to change its course," the US statement said.
The US officials also said Washington would "continue to expand direct support and assistance to pro-democracy actors to help build their cohesion, improve their capability to provide vital public services and humanitarian aid to those in need."
The two sides pledged to work together with the international community, including special representatives to Myanmar from the United Nations and Association of Southeast Asian Nations to bring an end to the crisis.
Earlier, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi called the situation in Myanmar "worrying," and suggested neighbouring countries should promote cooperation with Myanmar to help it create economic and social conditions that prevent conflict.
He said China supports a democratic transition in Myanmar and backs a regional plan to find a way out of the ongoing crisis. REUTERS
