Myanmar minister in Thailand
YANGON: Myanmar’s militaryappointed foreign minister flew into Thailand yesterday, a Thai government source said, as Myanmar’s neighbours intensified efforts to resolve a crisis that began when its army seized power in a February 1 coup.
Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin arrived for talks on diplomatic efforts by the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), the Thai source said, as opponents of the coup again took to the streets in Myanmar.
Indonesia has taken the lead in efforts steer a path out of the crisis with the help of fellow Asean members but its plans appeared to falter yesterday, when a proposed trip to
Myanmar by foreign minister Retno Marsudi was scrapped.
This week, there have been huge rallies and a general strike to denounce the coup and demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, despite a warning from authorities that confrontation could get people killed.
Indonesia had this week proposed a plan centred on Asean members sending monitors to ensure the generals stuck to their promise to hold fair elections, sources said.
The military has not given a timeframe for a new election but it imposed a oneyear state of emergency when it seized power, so it is likely to be after that.
Marsudi, who is in Thailand, had been expected to fly to Myanmar but the trip was called off last night.
‘‘After taking into account current developments and the input of other Asean countries, this is not the ideal time to conduct a visit,’’ Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said. — Reuters