Myanmar junta hits out at critics, thanks neighbors for help

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Jan 4 (Reuters) – Myanmar’s junta leader on Wednesday criticized countries for meddling in his country’s affairs while thanking others for their “positive” cooperation, noting he was working closely with neighbors such as China, India and Thailand.

The Southeast Asian country has faced international isolation and Western-imposed sanctions since the military seized power from a democratically elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung Sang Suu Kyi almost two years ago.

“I would like to thank some international and regional countries, organizations and individuals who have positively cooperated with us…in the midst of all the pressure, criticism and attacks,” General Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech delivered to the anniversary of Myanmar. 75th independence day.

“We are working closely with neighboring countries such as China, India, Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh. We will work together for border stability and development,” Min Aung Hlaing said in a televised speech. during a National Day parade in the capital Naypyitaw.

Myanmar has been in chaos since the military seized power from Suu Kyi’s government on February 1, 2021, detained her and other officials and responded to pro-democracy protests and dissent with a brute force, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.

Meanwhile, Suu Kyi was found guilty of five corruption charges late last year and jailed for another seven years, concluding a marathon of internationally condemned trials as a sham designed to hold remotely the junta’s greatest threat amid widespread national resistance to his rule.

Suu Kyi is being held in Naypyitaw prison in solitary confinement and the army insists she has been given due process before an independent tribunal.

The United States, the European Union and countries like Britain and Canada have imposed sanctions on the Burmese military and individuals deemed to have helped the junta take power.

In another rebuke, the UN Security Council last month passed its first resolution on Myanmar in 74 years, demanding an end to violence and the release by the junta of all political detainees.

Referring to international pressure, Min Aung Hlaing denounced what he described as “disruptions by countries and organizations that want to intervene in Myanmar’s internal affairs”.

Still, the junta maintained some international support. The UN Security Council remains divided on how to handle the crisis in Myanmar, with China and Russia opposing strong action. They also both abstained in last month’s vote on a resolution, along with India.

Thailand also held regional talks last month to discuss the crisis, including rare international appearances by junta ministers, even as several key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, who criticized the junta, did not participate.

ASEAN is leading diplomatic peace efforts and Myanmar generals have been barred from high-level bloc rallies for failing to honor promises to start talks with opponents linked to the toppled government of Suu Kyi.

(Reporting by Reuters staff Writing by Ed Davies Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

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