Myanmar Military Brings Home 100 Diplomats From 19 Countries In The World

Myanmar military coup demonstration. (Wikimedia Commons / Ninjastrikers)

JAKARTA - At least 100 diplomats from 19 countries around the world were recalled by the Myanmar military regime, according to leaked documents.

Cited from The Irrawaddy, the move was made after the speech by Myanmar's UN envoy U Kyaw Moe Tun, at the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States on Friday last week.

While displaying a three-finger greeting, a symbol of anti-regime resistance, he condemned the coup and asked the international community for help in restoring democracy in his country.

After the speech, the junta fired the envoy and accused him of high treason, insisting he represented the democratically elected government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD).

According to the leaked documents, the military regime on Sunday ordered interior officials, including minister-advisers and secretaries, as well as other embassy staff, in missions in the US, UK, Italy, Austria, Brazil, France, Norway, Belgium, Serbia, China, Japan, India, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Cambodia, South Korea, and the Philippines.

In addition, the document includes orders for the transfer of more than 50 staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Naypyitaw to vacant positions in those countries.

"U Kyaw Moe Tun's actions at the United Nations sent a signal to MOFA staff in foreign countries that they should participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement [CDM] publicly", a staff member at the Myanmar Embassy in the United States told The Irrawaddy.

The staffer said some mission employees in the US were reluctant to accept a coup after working under Aung San Suu Kyi's leadership. Many dislike the idea of working under a military regime.

Early last month, the military regime recalled Kay Thi Soe, Myanmar's first Ambassador to the Czech Republic. He said he was called home for revealing which party he voted for in the November 8 general election.

On Saturday, Kay Thi Soe wrote on Facebook that she condemned the unjust military takeover. He said he would return to Myanmar in early March.