UNITED NATIONS, Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Myanmar on Tuesday but was unable to agree on a statement about the country’s military coup, with diplomats saying negotiations will continue.
“China and Russia have asked for more time,” one diplomat said following the behind-closed-doors videoconference meeting that lasted just over two hours.
“A statement is still under discussion,” confirmed another diplomat, also on condition of anonymity.
According to a draft of the text, the United Nations Security Council would call for a return to civilian power following Monday’s bloodless coup in which democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top politicians were detained.
The text, drafted by Britain, would also call for Myanmar’s military to “immediately release those unlawfully detained.”
It would also demand that the one-year state of emergency be repealed and “for all sides to adhere to democratic norms.” The draft does not mention sanctions.
To be adopted, it requires the support of China, Myanmar’s main supporter at the UN and a veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council.
Swiss diplomat Christine Schraner Burgener, the United Nations’ envoy to Myanmar, briefed the 15-member council on the latest developments at Tuesday’s meeting.
“She urged Council members to collectively send a clear signal in support of democracy in Myanmar,” according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Britain’s ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, told reporters after the meeting that she hoped the Council will “be able to speak with one voice.”
“Discussions will continue among Council colleagues on next steps,” she added.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won November elections in a landslide, but the military now claims those polls were tainted by fraud.
The last Security Council meeting on Myanmar was in September and was also behind closed doors.
Its last joint declaration on the country was adopted in 2018. — NNN-AGENCIES
