Irrawaddy-July 13
The world today has more than 190 countries but it seems there is only one nation willing to open its doors to Myanmar military junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who has been ostracized internationally for his illegitimate coup and his brutal response to protesters. And that’s Russia. The coup leader and his family have been there since Sunday. It is the second time Min Aung Hlaing has been to the country since the coup last year. In fact, it’s just the second time he’s been anywhere, as Russia is the only country in the world he has visited, more than 15 months after the takeover. (Admittedly, he flew to Indonesia last year. But it would be generous to call it a “visit”; he was more or less summoned by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, which presented him with a peace plan for Myanmar in a failed effort to end his bloody crackdowns on protesters.) But while it seems that it’s “destination Moscow” for the time being for Min Aung Hlaing, it would be unfair to say that he is entirely without other friends. Apart from Russia, the regime chief, who has killed more than 2,000 civilians so far for rejecting his rule, also enjoys support from China. Both countries have refused to denounce the regime and have even protected it at the UN Security Council. Furthermore, Min Aung Hlaing has warm relations with Myanmar’s southern neighbor, Thailand. Plus, early this year, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen became the first international dignitary to meet the bloody dictator after flying in to Naypyitaw. Some may wonder why Min Aung Hlaing has confined himself to shuttling between Moscow and Naypyitaw while there are other “friendly nations.” The reason is that his coup against a democratically elected government makes it hard for them to recognize him as Myanmar’s legitimate leader. Take China. For all Beijing’s affirmations of support for the regime—which simply reflect China’s strategic and economic interests in Myanmar—Min Aung Hlaing hasn’t set foot on Chinese soil since the coup; he hasn’t so much as crossed the border, let alone traveled to Beijing. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-chief-back-in-russia-the-only-country-willing-to-take-him.html
