The silence has become more striking as Myanmar’s security forces struggle to contain daily protests in Yangon and Mandalay, the two largest cities, and in the usually locked-down capital of Naypyitaw in support of ousted political leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
“We call upon the military to immediately end the state of emergency, restore power to the democratically-elected government, to release all those unjustly detained, and to respect human rights and the rule of law,” the Group of Seven leading industrial nations said after the coup.
By contrast, China did not support the U.N. Security Council’s effort the day after the military takeover to produce a joint statement condemning the putsch. Beijing is one of five permanent members of the council and wields veto power.
Tuesday, 9 February 2021, 6:59 am
By Richard S. Ehrlich
BANGKOK, Thailand -- By
seizing power, Myanmar's new coup leader Commander-in-Chief
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has protected his murky
financial investments and the military's domination, but
some of his incoming international cash flow might now be up
for grabs.
Sr. Gen. Min spent much of his military
career as a quiet, publicity-shy officer steadily promoted
to higher positions before grabbing absolute power at dawn
on February 1, six months before his mandatory retirement on
his 65th birthday July 3.
Among other goals, Sr. Gen.
Min apparently hopes he has protected himself, his family,
and military colleagues from possible investigation over