Biden demands Myanmar military cede power, orders sanctions review
02 February, 2021
US President Joe Biden called Monday (Feb 1) on Myanmar's military to relinquish power immediately and ordered an assessment to consider reimposing sanctions lifted because of the nation's transition to democracy.
"The international community should come together in a single voice to press the Burmese military to immediately relinquish the energy they possess seized," Biden said.
"AMERICA removed sanctions on Burma in the last decade based on progress toward democracy," he said in a statement, employing Myanmar's former name.
"The reversal of this progress will necessitate an instantaneous overview of our sanction laws and authorities, accompanied by appropriate action."
"The United States will operate for democracy wherever it really is under attack."
Myanmar's transition had at first been seen as a major success story of the administration of former president Barack Obama, in which Biden served seeing that vice president, with the strategically placed country viewed as moving toward democracy and from China's orbit.
But Myanmar's once iconic democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi drew Western criticism over her reticence to condemn mass killings of Rohingya Muslims.
On Monday, the military arrested her and other politicians after her party scored another sweeping election victory.
"AMERICA is being attentive to those that stand with the persons of Burma in this difficult hour," Biden said, in what was likely a veiled reference to China.
"We will work with this partners through the entire region and the world to support the restoration of democracy and the rule of law, aswell concerning hold accountable those in charge of overturning Burma's democratic transition."
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com