Myanmar’s military regime fired the country’s ambassador to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, on Saturday, a day after he delivered a pro-democracy speech asking UN member states to publicly condemn the February 1 coup. , The New York Times reports.
The last: Kyaw Moe Tun told Reuters later on Saturday, “I have decided to fight back as long as possible.”
- Earlier in the day, Myanmar’s state television said the ambassador had “betrayed the country and spoke to an unofficial organization that does not represent the country and abused the power and responsibilities of an ambassador.”
- According to the Times, Kyaw Moe Tun was outside Myanmar when the coup took place.
Overtaking quickly: The UN envoy was appointed under the civilian government that shared power with the military before the coup. He said he spoke on behalf of the government of Aung San Suu Kyi and asked UN members to denounce the coup d’état, not recognize the military regime and take “ all strongest measures ” to counter the attacks by Myanmar law enforcement agencies against protesters and the coup immediately.
- The “United Nations does not officially recognize the junta as Myanmar’s new government as it has not received official notification of any change,” Reuters reported, noting that Kyaw Moe Tun remains Myanmar’s UN ambassador for the time being.
Worth nothing: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed support for Kyaw Moe Tun’s speech, saying“The United States commends the bold and clear statement of Permanent Representative U Kyaw Moe Tun, and those in Burma who are making their voices heard.”
- “We must all respond to their call to restore democracy in Burma.”
Go deeper: Myanmar’s UN ambassador calls on the world to condemn the military coup
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with Kyaw Moe Tun’s comment to Reuters.