YANGON, Feb 1, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The United States led governments around
the world in calling for the restoration of Myanmar’s democracy on Monday
after the military staged a coup, arresting civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi
and other politicians.
– United States –
The United States “will take action against those responsible if these
steps are not reversed”, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a
statement.
She added that the US opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of the
November elections, which handed Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy
(NLD) an overwhelming landslide, but sparked allegations of vote
irregularities by the routed military-backed party. Newly appointed US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also called on Myanmar’s military “to
release all government officials and civil society leaders and respect the
will of the people of Burma as expressed in democratic elections on November
8.”
Before the coup, Washington, alongside several other Western nations, had
urged the military to “adhere to democractic norms” in a January 29 statement
that came as the commander-in-chief threatened to revoke the country’s
constitution.
– Britain –
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the coup and Suu Kyi’s
imprisonment.
“The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released,”
he tweeted.
– China –
China, which regularly opposes UN intervention in Myanmar, called for all
sides to “resolve differences.”
“China is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar and hopes the various parties in
Myanmar will appropriately resolve their differences under the constitutional
and legal framework to protect political and social stability,” foreign
ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press briefing.
– United Nations –
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “strongly” condemned the military’s
detention of Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other leaders.
“These developments represent a serious blow to democratic reforms in
Myanmar,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
– Japan –
Japan urged Myanmar’s military to free Suu Kyi and to restore democracy.
“We request the release of stakeholders including state counsellor Aung San
Suu Kyi who was detained today,” Japan’s foreign ministry said in a statement
urging “the national army to quickly restore the democratic political system
in Myanmar.”
– European Union –
European Council President Charles Michel strongly condemned the coup.
“The outcome of the elections has to be respected and democratic process
needs to be restored,” the former Belgian prime minister tweeted.
– Australia –
“We call on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes
through lawful mechanisms and to release immediately all civilian leaders and
others who have been detained unlawfully,” Australian Foreign Minister Marise
Payne said.
– India –
“We have noted the developments in Myanmar with deep concern. India has
always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition
in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must
be upheld,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
– ASEAN –
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “grave concern about the
latest situation in Myanmar,” adding hopes that all parties would “exercise
restraint.”
Indonesia’s foreign minister likewise expressed “concern” while also urging
“self-restraint.”
But Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the situation is an
“internal matter.”
“Our primary concern is the safety of our people, he said. “Our armed
forces are on standby in case we need to airlift them as well as navy ships
to repatriate them if necessary.”
– Norway –
“We condemn today’s developments in #Myanmar. We urge military leaders to
adhere to democratic norms and respect the outcome of the elections,”
Norway’s Foreign Affairs Ministry tweeted.
– Canada –
Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, tweeted that Myanmar’s
military “wrote the Constitution this way so they could do this.”
“The Constitution of 2008 was specifically designed to ensure military
power was deeply entrenched and protected,” he said.