Myanmar's Military Regime Calls For Foreign-Funded Protests, Accuses Aung San Suu Kyi's Stronghold Of Arson

Myanmar military regime spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun. (Source: rfa.org)

JAKARTA - Myanmar's military regime said Friday that its protest campaign against its government is waning because people want peace.

Myanmar military regime spokesman Brigadier Jnederal Zaw Min Tun at a press briefing in Myanmar's capital Naypyitaw said the government cabinet would soon be functioning again.

More than 600 people have been killed by security forces cracking down on protests against the February 1 coup in which Myanmar's military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.

"The reason for the reduction in protests is because of the cooperation of people who want peace, which we appreciate," Zaw Min Tun told Reuters on Friday, April 9.

"We ask people to cooperate with the security forces and help them," he continued.

However, in the latest violence, at least four protesters were killed by security forces on Friday in the town of Bago, near the main city of Yangon, eyewitnesses and domestic media said.

Activist group the Political Prisoners Assistance Association (AAPP) said 614 civilians, including 48 children, had been killed by security forces since the coup. Meanwhile, more than 2,800 people were detained.

Zaw Min Tun said at least 16 police officers had been killed. He accused members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) of arson and said the protest campaign was financed by foreign money. However, he gave no details.

Added by him, reports that some members of the international community do not recognize Myanmar's military government are fake news.

"We work with foreign countries and cooperate with neighboring countries," he said.

Meanwhile, 18 ambassadors to foreign countries in Myanmar peace and democratic recovery in a joint statement.

"We are humbled by their courage and dignity (of the protesters)," the ambassadors said of the protesters in their statement.

"We stand together to support the hopes and aspirations of all who believe in a free, just, peaceful and democratic Myanmar. Violence must be stopped, all political prisoners must be released and democracy must be restored," the statement continued.

Known, the statement was signed by the ambassadors of the United States, Britain, the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland and several European countries.

Myanmar coup. Voi's editor continues to monitor the political situation in one of asean's member countries. Civilian casualties continue to fall. Readers can follow the news about Myanmar's military coup by tapping this link.