ASEAN Foreign Minister To Discuss Myanmar Crisis

Reporter Rosyn Park ㅣ 2021-03-02 16:42

Demonstrators in Yangon flee from tear gas launched by security forces during a protest against the military coup in Myanmar on March 2, 2021. (Photo: EPA-Yonhap News)

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are meeting Tuesday to discuss the crisis in Myanmar.

ASEAN has a tradition of non-interference, but the month-old coup in Myanmar that began when the military detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi is threatening regional stability.

Protesters say ASEAN must honor the country's recent election.

But a single ASEAN state can block any decision.

The BBC's Jonathan Head reports.

[Reporter]

At today's ASEAN meeting, held remotely by video link, the junta appointed foreign minister is being referred to only as the representative of the military authorities, to avoid official recognition of the new regime.

But some ASEAN members, notably Cambodia and Laos, which are under authoritarian regimes themselves, and strongly influenced by China, have argued that what happens in Myanmar is solely an internal matter.

By contrast, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia have expressed strong concern over Myanmar, and said ASEAN should try and resolve the crisis.