Myanmar’s military regime ousted the country’s ambassador to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, on Saturday, a day after delivering a pro-democracy speech calling on UN member states to publicly launch the February 1 coup. condemned, reports The New York Times.
The latest: Kyaw Moe Tun told Reuters later on Saturday: “I have decided to fight back as long as possible.”
- Earlier in the day, television in Myanmar said the ambassador had “betrayed the country and spoken out for an unofficial organization that did not represent the country and abused the power and responsibilities of an ambassador.”
- Kyaw Moe Tun was outside Myanmar when the coup took place, according to the Times.
Fast fast in: The UN envoy was appointed under the civilian government that shared power with the military before the coup. He said he was speaking on behalf of the government of Aung San Suu Kyi and called on UN members to denounce the coup, not to recognize the military regime, and to take “all possible measures” to stop the attacks. to stop Myanmar’s law enforcement action against protesters and the coup immediately.
- The ‘United Nations does not officially recognize the junta as the new government of Myanmar, as no official notification of any change has been received,’ Reuters reported, pointing out that Kyaw Moe Tun remains Myanmar’s UN ambassador for the time being.
Note: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed support for Kyaw Moe Tun’s speech. say, “The United States praises the courageous and clear statement of Permanent Representative U Kyaw Moe Tun, and by those in Burma who are making their voices heard.”
- “We must all heed their call to restore democracy in Burma.”
Go deeper: Myanmar’s UN Ambassador calls on the world to condemn military coup
Editor’s Comment: This story was updated with Kyaw Moe Tun’s comments to Reuters.