Inviting non-political representatives instead of flirting
Warning against the principle of non-interference in internal affairs
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has decided not to attend the summit meeting held at the end of this month. This is an exceptional measure for ASEAN, which has the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. The position of the Myanmar military government, which has not been recognized even by neighboring countries, is likely to be greatly reduced.
According to Reuters, the chair country of Brunei announced on the 16th that ASEAN has agreed to invite a non-political representative to the summit in place of Myanmar’s Supreme Commander Min Aung Hlaing (pictured). Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement on the same day, saying, “It was a difficult decision to exclude Myanmar’s military leaders from attending, but it was necessary to maintain confidence in ASEAN.”
ASEAN has traditionally been reluctant to pressure member states or interfere in internal affairs. But when Myanmar’s military government failed to keep its promises with ASEAN to resolve the bloodshed sparked by the coup, member states took warning.
In order to resolve the bloodshed caused by the military coup d’état in Myanmar in April, ASEAN adopted an agreement on five issues, including cessation of violence and dispatch of special envoys. Commander Hlaing also attended the meeting at the time. However, bloodshed such as massacres by the military and police continued until recently. At least 1,178 civilians have lost their lives to the military and police since February, according to the Myanmar Human Rights Organization (AAPP).
In particular, ASEAN’s special envoy Eriwan Yusof (Brunei’s second foreign minister) recently requested that he be allowed to meet with state adviser Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest right after the coup d’état, during his visit to Myanmar, but the military government refused to do so, heightening the hostility of ASEAN. During a videoconference with ASEAN Foreign Ministers, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines are reported to have argued for the exclusion of Commander Helaing from attending the meeting, citing the Myanmar military’s failure to fulfill its promises. Brunei is said to have demanded that some countries have the leader of the National Unity Government (NUG), formed by the anti-coup camp in Myanmar, attend the summit.
Myanmar’s military government objected to ASEAN’s decision as a result of foreign intervention. “We know that in the past, envoys from some (ASEAN) countries have contacted the US State Department and have come under pressure from the European Union (EU),” said spokeswoman Jo Mo Thun.
As a result of ASEAN’s decision, Myanmar’s military government has significantly narrowed its position in the international community. Although China and Russia are known to recognize the military government in Myanmar, experts say that it was the ASEAN countries such as Thailand that became the real cause of the military administration in Myanmar. Thailand’s coup case and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN countries have been a shield for Myanmar’s military government as well. Eom Eun-hee, a senior researcher at Seoul National University’s Asia Research Center, said, “The Myanmar issue has not arisen in the context of the US-China conflict, but in a regional context. China’s attitude was also close to waiting for ASEAN to resolve the issue rather than actively supporting the military government,” he said. ASEAN, which came a little late on the Myanmar issue, also defended its pride.
Eight countries, including Korea and the EU, have announced that they support ASEAN’s move. The UN does not recognize the ambassador appointed by the Myanmar military government. The ASEAN Summit will be held on the 26th and 28th via video.
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