Kyaw Moe Tun is now actually flying solo, he says, unable to connect with the civilian government’s detained leaders, but is determined to keep the spotlight on Myanmar while protest-democratic protesters come home under bloody downfall. His elderly parents, who still live in Myanmar, have also been unreachable since his speech on February 26 – but he says he knows through other channels that they are cheering for him.
His interview with Meanwhile on Monday was edited for length and clarity.
What is it like to be posted here in New York with a overthrow of the government at home?
In Myanmar, we have three “pillars” against the military coup and against the military regime: First, the protesters who are on the streets and risking their lives to go against the security forces. At the same time, we have another pillar, namely the CDM: the civil disobedience movement. And at the same time, the CRPH (a parliamentary committee in exile) is working as well. My part here, though, is that I can help the three pillars get stronger and stronger.
This is how you can watch (my speech) on February 26th. I knew there would be no document of the meeting because it was an informal meeting. But I really wanted to have a positive impact on the people of Myanmar from the meeting. That’s why I gave the speech.
Was it a difficult decision?
This is a very rare decision for a career diplomat. The decision I made is, of course, a very difficult decision, but at the same time, the people of Myanmar want a democracy. …
Since February 1st, it has been quite difficult for me to sit here. When the military coup came in and they had the military council, of course, their instructions came here and there, and they asked us to do this and that. To be honest, we drafted a statement and then submitted it to headquarters, and they provided an edited version.
But I wanted to make a contribution to the people of Myanmar, and the statement I made had to reflect the real situation on the ground. I did not want to make a statement that was far from reality.
Your speech called on the world to take ‘the necessary measures’ to end the coup. What does it mean? Military intervention?
Yes, it can be natural. But it is very difficult to get military intervention, because the decision of a country to send military personnel to another country is not that easy – it is very difficult. I know, but the request of our people in Myanmar is very clear: we need the protection of the international community, in whatever way they can help. We do not want further loss of life for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar; we really want action, very strong action that can stop the cruel acts of the army.
What role does China play here?
They said they need to focus more on dialogue. But how can we have that dialogue while our leaders are in detention? Every time we engage in dialogue, there must be a level playing field.
What are you asking now about the United States and the international community?
I call on the international community to help us in any way they can. Many of us in the country, especially young, young people who are on the streets, are helpless. And not only them, but all of us – all people in Myanmar – also feel helpless.
My goal here is to fight back the military regime for as long as I can, and until the end of the military coup. … Our democracy was just a budding democracy and then the army came to set it back 40 or 50 years. Democracy must prevail. Democracy must triumph.