Anti-junta coalition says ready for dialogue with conditions

The National Unity Government fighting Myanmar’s military junta is ready for dialogue to rebuild the country torn by monthslong clashes between protesters and troops, if the junta stops killing people and returns power to people, the unity government’s minister of international cooperation said Friday.

Dr. Sasa, a doctor-turned-politician who goes by the single name and was working with elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi before the military detained her and seized power on Feb. 1, ruled out dialogue without first seeing those conditions fully met, in a video interview with Asian media.

“The dialogue can only happen when they stop killing, release Aung San Suu Kyi unconditionally, withdraw weapons and return power to the people of Myanmar, to the unity government,” he said.

Sasa -- who is also the envoy to the United Nations for the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a body of ousted lawmakers trying to rebuild the civilian government -- warned of a “great civil war” breaking out in the Asian continent.

The violent crackdown would result in human and drug trafficking across the country’s borders, and a flood of refugees, if the Asian neighbors do not pressure the junta, according to Sasa.

The junta, who claims there had been election fraud late last year that returned Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party to power, promised “free and fair” elections once the one-year state of emergency is over. Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory in that election.

“There should not by any allusion to our neighbors, Asian friends and the international community that it was not free and fair. It was so,” Sasa said, adding the military has no proof or evidence. Myanmar’s election commission had rejected the military’s claims.

The international envoy slammed the recent ASEAN summit in April that invited junta chief Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.

“It was wrong. If they invite him, they have to be serious with him and return the power to the people of Myanmar,” Sasa said, referring to inaction that has done little to roll back the coup that has killed at least 700 people and detained thousands since February.

The general, who is the “murderer-in-chief,” used the gathering to legitimize his takeover, which had been premeditated for many years, Sasa said, noting the junta wants to reign in terror.

The envoy, who sent a letter to the UN Security Council requesting intervention in March, said there has been no action from the international community, either, referring to the body that has been indecisive to help the civilian coalition push back against the junta.

Sasa called for cutting off the military’s access to the international banking system and weapons, though he admitted that it would not be easy.

The envoy called on the world to do what could be done: recognize their national unity government as the sole legitimate representative and provide food and medical supplies and shelters.

In the meantime, the coalition will work to reestablish a “secular government” that upholds the rights and freedoms of all people, including the country’s ostracized Rohingya minority, according to Sasa.

In 2017, the predominately Muslim group was forced from their homes in what the UN concluded was a military campaign with genocidal intent. Last year, the International Court of Justice ordered Myanmar to report on its efforts to protect them until it delivers a final ruling. 

“Your pain is my pain. … We will not tolerate any person – either a Christian, Buddhist or Muslim who is not believing in the rights of people of Myanmar,” Sasa said.

By Choi Si-young (siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)