Myanmar junta can’t beat rebels, should restore democracy – U.S. diplomat
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Myanmar’s junta probably can not to defeat the rebels combating its rule and will restore democracy after seizing energy final yr, a senior U.S. diplomat stated.
“It is exhausting to see immediately how they might realistically assume they’ll win,” stated Derek Chollet, the State Division counsellor. “They’re dropping territory. Their navy is taking severe losses.”
Talking to Reuters and one other journalist in Bangkok on Friday, Chollet stated the navy authorities is turning into remoted not solely internationally but additionally at residence and will finish the struggle and return to democracy.
The junta overthrew the elected authorities of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and has since used lethal pressure and mass arrests to suppress demonstrations.
Civilians have taken up arms to struggle police and troopers, answering a name by an alliance of calmly armed rebels for a individuals’s revolt. The junta has declared the alliance “terrorists”.
A spokesperson for the navy didn’t reply calls searching for touch upon Sunday about Chollet’s remarks.
The diplomat is visiting Thailand, Singapore and Brunei to comply with up on a gathering final month of the US and the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Along with imposing sanctions, Washington is working with ASEAN and international locations equivalent to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia relating to Myanmar, Chollet stated.
He expressed hope that China may be “a part of the answer” in Myanmar.
(Reporting by Reuters Employees; Modifying by William Mallard)
