PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair, DPM Prak Sokhonn, delivered a virtual keynote address providing an “Update on ASEAN’s Efforts in Myanmar” at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute’s Special Discussion on Thursday, 21 July.
During the address, DPM Prak Sokhonn said that Cambodia’s approach to resolving the Myanmar crisis has, without a doubt, received mixed reactions from both ASEAN pundits and the international community, however, Cambodia has gone ahead with a clear appreciation that the crisis is deeply-rooted in complex historical and political issues and adopted an approach driven by a certain pragmatism.
He said, “For those who want to see quick solutions, I am afraid there are none,” and gave the example of how it took 20 years of peace talks for Cambodia to achieve full peace.
From his two working visits to Myanmar, the DPM stated that the most visible progress can be seen in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. He highlighted the implementation of the Joint MoH-Partner Vaccines Administration Framework where two million doses of Covid-19 vaccines were delivered to Myanmar, as an example of what has been achieved thus far.
Regarding the cessation of violence, he explained that he had reiterated to the Myanmar State Administrative Council (SAC) to exercise restraint and not use disproportionate response, as well as urged all ethnic armed organizations and political parties to adhere to the non-violence principle.
The third priority of enabling a conducive environment for peaceful and inclusive dialogue, the DPM said, has been by far the most difficult issue to tackle, due to the deeply rooted history of the conflict in Myanmar that spans over seven decades. He explained that for the first time in over a year he was able to open the door for a possible talk between the SAC and groups designated as ‘terrorists’ by the military government, however, this new space for political dialogue came with the condition that those groups are only able to negotiate if they have no intention to destroy or replace the current government.
“Whether these conditions can be met by the relevant parties in Myanmar, time will tell but at least the door is now open for them to enter into peace negotiation,” he said, while stressing the importance of a Myanmar-owned and led peace talk process.
He added that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been identified as one of the most important actors in advancing inclusive dialogue and promoting the principle of non-violence, however, consistent requests made to the SAC to meet with her have not been met.
Concluding his address, DPM Prak Sokhonn said he will do everything at his disposal as the ASEAN Special Envoy to alleviate the suffering of innocent people in Myanmar, and asked everyone to be fair and respectful to those who are working hard to see the crisis come to an end.
DPM Prak Sokhonn has so far paid two working visits to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The first from 21-23 March, and the second from 29 June to 3 July.
