BRUSSELS (CU)_The world is currently horrified by the bloody military crackdown in Myanmar, with more than 80 civilians killed in Bago, north-east of Yangon, last Friday (9 April). Although some of the major economies in the world are pursuing a coordinated response to the state of affairs in the Southeast Asian nation, however, Russia and China have been holding back.
Beijing has described the coup as “a major government reshuffle”, while Moscow insists that it is a purely “domestic matter”.
However, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says it is “no surprise” that the two countries are blocking international efforts to halt the violence and chaos in Myanmar, particularly through the imposition of an arms embargo by the UN Security Council.
“We are pursuing a robust diplomatic initiative in close coordination with like-minded partners,” Borell wrote in a blog post on Sunday. “However, geopolitical competition in Myanmar makes it difficult to find common ground, to halt the violence and ensure a return to democracy.”
According to the foreign policy chief, the geopolitical significance of Myanmar, offering deep-sea access to the Indian Ocean, makes it a strategic point for China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as to India’s corridor to the South China Sea. On the other hand, Russia is the second supplier or weapons to the Southeast Asian nation after China.
“Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Russia and China are blocking the attempts of the UN Security Council, for example, to impose an arms embargo,” Borell noted.
He also pointed out that the situation has been complicated even further by the highly diverse and complex ethnic fabric of Myanmar, which consists of more than 135 recognised communities and ethnicities. Despite such complications, the European Union cannot accept that “a democratically-elected government is overthrown and replaced by military rule”, he said.
Although, Brussels, as well as Washington and London, have imposed sanctions on the military junta, Borell called for a shared diplomatic platform to initiate a process of dialogue which will be aimed at restoring democracy in Myanmar.
Since the military crackdown was launched on 1 February, mass protests have broken out in the Southeast Asian nation, with thousands of people demanding the restoration of the government. However, these demonstrations have been met by deadly violence, with the military and police forces using guns, bombs and other heavy weapons to break up rallies and detain activists. According to rights groups, as of Saturday, more than 700 people being killed since the coup began in February.
