US says ‘all countries should be concerned’ about arms sales to Myanmar junta
The United States said the international community should be “concerned” about arms sales to the military junta in Myanmar without mentioning any suppliers by name.
As Myanmar faces increased isolation from the world following the military coup of Feb. 1 and the ensuing crackdown on democratic protesters, Russia fills the void by providing increased support through military aid. The Kremlin’s recent warming toward the military junta in the Southeast Asian country directly contrasts with increasing Western condemnation.
The Biden administration praised recent sanctions from the United Kingdom and European Union directed toward the junta.
“We welcome the U.K.’s and EU’s sanctions on Burmese individuals and entities announced on June 21. The international community’s unified message is clear: We will continue promoting accountability for the regime to support the aspirations of the Burmese people,” a State Department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner.
“All countries should be concerned about sales to the Burmese military that could be used in the regime’s campaign of oppression. This includes traditional weapons, dual-use items, and digital tools of suppression,” the representative added.
The statement did not directly address increased Russian support for the embattled regime.
MYANMAR FORCES KILL OVER 100 IN DEADLIEST DAY SINCE COUP
Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s junta leader, traveled to Moscow on Monday for a three-day “international security conference,” where the two countries discussed their mutual interests in fighting “terrorism,” regional security, and concerns over foreign interference in Myanmar, according to the Moscow Times. Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia’s Security Council, met with Hlaing personally, and the two countries “reaffirmed their desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation,” Russia’s Security Council said.
The meeting marks the latest of one of Hlaing’s numerous visits to Russia over the years.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated Russian President Vladimir Putin will not meet with the Junta leader.
Russia stands as one of the Myanmar military junta’s highest-profile allies, alongside China. But while China has misgivings about the coup, according to the East Asia Forum, Russia sees much to benefit from as its ties with the military are extensive. Russia was one of the few countries to refuse to condemn the February coup, merely expressing hope toward “a peaceful settlement of the situation through the resumption of political dialogue.”
Activists have decried the Kremlin’s relationship with the junta as legitimizing the dictatorship’s rule. The Kremlin insists it’s simply carrying on with its long-running relationship with Myanmar, which dates back to the 1950s.
The U.S. has led the international effort against the military junta that ousted the democratic government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, earlier this year. The Biden administration first issued sanctions against the generals behind the coup on Feb. 10, followed by an order to end all trade and investment in the country after the massacre of protesters by the military in March. On Monday, the EU imposed a third round of sanctions on Myanmar military officials and state companies.
On Saturday, the United Nations General Assembly issued a resolution urging the restoration of democracy, and an end to violence, calling on constituent countries to refrain from selling arms to Myanmar.
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The army’s crackdown on protests has resulted in over 880 deaths and 5,000 arrests, according to the advocacy group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
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Tags: Burma, Myanmar, Coup, Military, Russia, National Security
Original Author: Brady Knox
Original Location: US says ‘all countries should be concerned’ about arms sales to Myanmar junta
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