Myanmar’s junta chief urges economic action as western pressure mounts

FILE PHOTO: An armored vehicle is seen on a street during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, on February 14, 2021. Photo taken on February 14, 2021. REUTERS / Stringer

Myanmar’s junta leader has called for energetic efforts to revive a struggling economy, state media reported Tuesday, as Western countries considered more sanctions to pressure generals to avoid a violent crackdown on democracy protests.

The call for a focus on the economy came after a general strike closed businesses on Monday and large crowds gathered to denounce the February 1 military coup and demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, despite a warning from authorities that the confrontation could lead to people. delicate.

Opponents of the coup met again on Tuesday, albeit in much smaller numbers. There were also small marches in favor of the military, the media reported.

There were no reports of violence.

Military Chief General Min Aung Hlaing, in a meeting with his ruling council on Monday, called for state spending and imports to be reduced and exports to be increased.

“The council needs to put its energy into reviving the country’s ailing economy. Economic reparation measures must be taken, ”the state media quoted him as saying.

The army seized power after denouncing fraud in the November 8 elections, detaining her and much of the party leadership. The electoral commission dismissed the allegations of fraud.

The crisis raises the possibility of isolation and nervousness for investors just as the new coronavirus is undermining consumption and tourism.

Min Aung Hlaing did not link the protests directly to economic problems, but said the authorities were following a democratic path in dealing with them and that the police were using minimal force, such as rubber bullets, state media reported.

The security forces have shown more restraint compared to previous crackdowns on individuals who had promoted democracy during nearly half a century of direct military rule.

Still, three protesters were killed: two shot dead in the second city of Mandalay on Saturday and a woman who died Friday after being shot more than a week earlier in the capital, Naypyitaw.

The army has said that a policeman died from injuries sustained during the protests.

The army has accused the protesters of provoking violence, but UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said the millions who marched Monday in an “impressive” turnout showed they were prepared to face military threats.

“The generals are losing their power of intimidation and with it, their power. It is time for them to stand down, as the people of Myanmar do, ”Andrews said on Twitter.

FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators protest a military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar, on February 22, 2021. REUTERS / Stringer

Indonesia plan

The European Union said it was considering sanctions that would target army-owned companies, but the bloc ruled out any cuts in its trade preferences to avoid harming the working poor.

“We are not prepared to stand still and watch,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in Brussels on Monday.

The United States imposed sanctions on two more board members and warned it could take more action.

The government of President Joe Biden previously imposed sanctions on Myanmar’s interim president and several military officials, as well as three companies in the jade and gemstones sector.

Britain, Germany and Japan have also condemned the violence and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the military to stop the crackdown.

Myanmar, which has not been influenced by sanctions in the past, denounced what it called interference in its affairs.

Meanwhile, Indonesia is pressuring Southeast Asian neighbors to agree to a plan that will keep the board on its promise to hold elections after a year, with supervisors to ensure they are fair and inclusive, sources familiar with the proposal said.

But the plan would not meet protesters’ demands for the immediate release of Suu Kyi and recognition of the November elections.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Indonesian embassy in Yangon to express their opposition to the plan. One protester put up a sign that read: “We don’t need another election !! Respect our vows ”.

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