[Handout photo from Indonesian Presidential Palace via AFP]
Updated at 5:06 p.m. ET on 2021-04-24
Southeast Asian leaders called for an “immediate cessation” to killings in Myanmar and the opening of ASEAN-brokered talks between its military regime and parallel civilian government, as they and the Burmese junta chief met in Jakarta for an emergency summit Saturday on that country’s post-coup strife.
A statement from the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the end of the one-day talks, which lasted about three hours, indicated ASEAN would appoint a special envoy to facilitate talks aimed at “a peaceful solution in the interests of the people.” It also said the regional bloc would provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar.
JAKARTA: Southeast Asian leaders are to meet Myanmar’s top general and coup leader in an emergency summit in Indonesia Saturday, and are expected to press calls for an end to violence by security forces that has left hundreds of protesters dead as well as the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees.
There is little hope for an immediate breakthrough in the two-hour gathering in Jakarta between Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and the six heads of state and three foreign ministers representing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. But his decision to face them offers a rare chance for the 10-nation bloc to directly deal with the general who ousted one of its leaders in a Feb. 1 coup.
ASEAN leaders set for Myanmar crisis talks
Updated / Saturday, 24 Apr 2021
07:52
Demonstrators calling for democracy in Myanmar take part in a rally outside ASEAN building in Jakarta
Southeast Asian leaders will hold Myanmar crisis talks with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing who has become the focus of international outrage over a military coup and crackdown that has left more than 700 dead.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Jakarta is the senior general s first foreign trip since security forces staged a coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in early February.
Mass protests by an angry population have been met by a brutal crackdown that has left blood on the streets.
The Straits Times
Asean leaders gather in Jakarta with junta leader in bid to end Myanmar crisis
Foreign Ministers from South-east Asian nations during the working dinner in Jakarta, on April 23, 2021. PHOTO: SPECIAL ASEAN SUMMIT ON MYANMAR
https://str.sg/JFgQ
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Asean leaders gather for Myanmar crisis talks
11 Asean leaders gather for Myanmar crisis talks
Group expected to demand end to violence by military and name a first-ever special envoy to troubled country
published : 24 Apr 2021 at 13:45
11 Demonstrators calling for democracy in Myanmar take part in a rally outside the Asean Secretariat building in Jakarta on Saturday. (AFP Photo)
JAKARTA: Asean leaders prepared to begin Myanmar crisis talks on Saturday with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, who has become the focus of international outrage over a military coup and crackdown that has left more than 700 dead.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Jakarta is the general’s first foreign trip since security forces staged a coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in early February.