BANGKOK, July 10 — The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged ASEAN member countries to put pressure on Myanmar’s government, and hold it accountable to the 5-Point Consensus (5PCs) agreed with the bloc to restore peace and return to democracy.
He said it is unfortunate that there has been ‘no positive movement’ in the 18 months since the military takeover as the world continues to see the repression of the Myanmar people who face violence perpetrated by the regime.
He added that the opposition leaders remain in jail or exile while the humanitarian situation has worsened
as assistance and supplies were not delivered to the people
“All countries have to continue to speak clearly about what the regime is doing in its ongoing repression and brutality. We have an obligation to the people of Burma (Myanmar) to hold the regime accountable. Regional support for the regime’s adherence to the 5PCs developed by ASEAN is also critical. That has not happened.
“All members of ASEAN need to hold the regime accountable to the 5PCs and continue to demand in the cessation of violence, release of political prisoners and the restoration of Myanmar’s democratic path,
“Today, we have not seen positive movement in that direction. We will continue to look for ways that we can and other countries can effectively put pressure on the region to move back to right track” he said at a press conference here today.
Blinken’s visit to Thailand is part of his travel itinerary to the region which includes Bali, Indonesia on Wednesday to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
Earlier, Blinken called on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai who is also the foreign minister.
ASEAN proposed a 5PCs to bring Myanmar back to normalcy. The 5PCs are — end the violence; hold constructive talks among all stakeholders; ASEAN provides humanitarian aid to Myanmar; a special ASEAN envoy appointed to conduct talks; and an envoy to be allowed to visit the country.
However, the junta has not responded positively.
When asked on Chinese Foreign Minster Wang Yi’s visit to Myanmar on July 4, Blinken said “it is incumbent on China and China’s interest to see Myanmar move back to the democratic path”.
