JAKARTA - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will fly to Myanmar, which has been beset by violence since a military coup on February 1 last year, for a working visit this week.
Visiting as Chair of ASEAN, PM Hun Sen is scheduled to meet with leaders of the Myanmar military regime, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. However, he was barred from meeting ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
A spokesman for Myanmar's junta said on Tuesday the regime would not allow Hun Sen to meet Suu Kyi during her visit to the country.
"Only those who represent political parties are allowed to meet and discuss, but there are limits to those who still face lawsuits," junta spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told RFA, quoted from The Irrawaddy January 6.
Prior to his departure for Myanmar, PM Hun Sen said Wednesday in Phnom Penh he had not set any preconditions before his visit. However, he said the goal was not far from implementing the Five-Point Consensus as a result of the ASEAN leaders' meeting in Jakarta last year.
He called on all observers not to draw preliminary conclusions about the outcome of his visit to Myanmar. If it bears fruit, it can bring peace to Myanmar and the Myanmar people will recognize the efforts of ASEAN member states, he underlined, according to Cambodia's state news agency AKP.
However, Myanmar residents fear that Hun Sen's visit will give the regime legitimacy. Because he will be the first foreign leader to meet the ruling generals, who are globally condemned for their brutality against their own people, including the murder of more than 1,300 people who oppose their rule.
Many also questioned Hun Sen's involvement with the regime, saying he should be in contact with all key actors in Myanmar including the Government of National Unity, a shadowy civilian government.
A joint statement issued Tuesday by 200 civil society groups in Myanmar and abroad condemned Hun Sen for his planned visit.
On the same day, PM Hun Sen spoke with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to discuss the issue of Myanmar. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a press statement regarding the results of the telephone conversation between PM Hun Sen and President Jokowi.
"The two leaders also exchanged views on the current developments in Myanmar and underlined the important need to focus ASEAN's efforts on assisting Myanmar in finding suitable solutions, in order to achieve national reconciliation, lasting peace, stability, and development," the statement said.
Separately, Ro Vannak, co-founder of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy said that the conversation between PM Hun Sen and President Jokowi that took place only a few days before the visit to Myanmar, was a form of public diplomacy that showed solidarity in ASEAN towards all parties, for conflicts within the country. Myanmar and its surroundings.
Vannak said PM Hun Sen really appreciates Indonesia's input in any discussion on regional issues, because Jakarta has played an important role as a mediator and facilitator in regional conflicts in the past.
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Now, he said, PM Hun Sen may need full support from Indonesia if his trip to Myanmar goes smoothly and bears fruit. His talks with President Jokowi may be intended to shore up that support, Vannak continued.
To note, two bombs recently exploded near the Cambodian Embassy in Myanmar, injuring no one. The blast did not bother Hun Sen, however, with a Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman saying the visit would go ahead as planned.
Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.
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