Myanmar’s military regime on Saturday fired the country’s ambassador to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, a day after delivering a pro-democracy speech calling on UN member states to publicly condemn the coup. ‘February 1, according to the New York Times.
The last: Kyaw Moe Tun told Reuters later Saturday: “I decided to defend myself as best I can.”
- Earlier in the day, Myanmar state television said the ambassador had “betrayed the country and spoken out by an unofficial organization that did not represent the country and had abused the power and responsibilities of an ambassador.”
- Kyaw Moe Tun was out of Myanmar when the coup took place, according to the Times.
Get up to date fast: 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 the strongest possible measures” to stop it. Myanmar law enforcement attacks on protesters and put an end to the coup immediately.
- “The United Nations does not officially recognize the Board as Myanmar’s new government, as it has not received any official notification of any changes,” Reuters reported, noting that Kyaw Moe Tun remains the UN ambassador to Myanmar. Myanmar for now.
It is necessary to emphasize: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed support for Kyaw Moe Tun’s speech. saying“The United States commends the courageous and clear statement made by Permanent Representative U Kyaw Moe Tun, and by those in Burma who make their voices heard.”
- “We must all heed his call to restore democracy in Burma.”
In depth: Myanmar’s UN ambassador calls on the world to condemn the military coup
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with Kyaw Moe Tun’s comment on Reuters.