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Transcript/ScriptMyanmar ASEAN
HEADLINE: Under new chair, ASEAN seeks to resolve conflict in Myanmar
TEASER: As Indonesia takes the helm of the association,
PUBLISHED AT: 02/09/2023 at 4 pm
BYLINE: Yuni Salim, Nova Poerwadi
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Kenochs; Reifenrath
PRODUCER:
VIDEO SOURCES: AFP, AP, Reuters, Indonesian Government Feed, Skype, Zoom (with License)
PLATFORMS:
TRT: 2:44
VID APPROVED BY: mia
EDITOR NOTES:
All Chyrons confirmed
Please return to Nova Poerwadi and copy to HFR when done))
((INTRO))
[[Human rights groups say atrocities are continuing in Myanmar two years after the military coup despite ASEAN attempts to mediate. For the new ASEAN chair, Indonesia, the conflict is threatening to dominate the agenda. VOA’s Yuni Salim explains in this report narrated by Nova Poerwadi.]]
(AFP: ASEAN Chairmanship Handover)
(NARRATOR))
In 2023, Indonesia took over the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, from Cambodia.
(AFP: Military Parade in Myanmar)
But one issue, the military rule of Myanmar, which began when the army seized power two years ago, threatens to overshadow other items on ASEAN’s agenda. The U.S. State Department says there are credible reports that the military's crackdown on its opponents has resulted in thousands being jailed, tortured or killed.
(REUTERS: INDONESIA, WIDODO STILLS)
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that although Indonesia was committed to resolving the crisis in Myanmar, ASEAN would not be — in his words — “held hostage” to the Myanmar conflict.
Andreyka Natalegawa is an expert on Southeast Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
((Andreyka Natalegawa, Center for Strategic and International Studies)) ((Skype))
“You know, we're only a very short period of time into Indonesia's chairmanship, but we're beginning to see the outlines of how it will approach the Myanmar crisis, and we've seen a number of public statements by senior officials.”
(NARRATOR))
((Mandatory Courtesy: WEForum.org))
Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s coordinating mi nister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, told the World Economic Forum in Davos in mid-January that it
was time Myanmar’s military leaders stepped aside to allow qualified people to lead.
((REUTERS STILLS, Widodo, Indonesian Military))
Meanwhile, President Widodo said Indonesia would send one of its high-ranking generals to Myanmar to offer advice on transitioning from military to civilian rule.
Patrick M. Cronin is the Asia-Pacific security chair at the Hudson Institute.
((Patrick M. Cronin, Hudson Institute)) ((Skype))
“I think Indonesia is serious about wanting to improve the situation in Myanmar, but I think they're also reluctant to look like they're meddlesome or to be counterproductive to engage in counterproductive activity. And they don't think blanket sanctions. They don't think stopping all dialogue is very productive.”
(REUTERS, (various of ASEAN HQ, ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting))
((NARRATOR))
Since its founding in 1967, ASEAN has adopted a policy of non-intervention in internal affairs.
And Myanmar’s military regime hasn’t made much headway toward implementing the Five Point Consensus it agreed to with ASEAN leaders in April 2021 calling for cessation of hostilities and continued dialogue among the disputing sides. And that may force ASEAN’s hand.
((Manny Maung, Human Rights Watch)) ((Zoom))
"If Myanmar has not reached or implemented any of the points from the five-point consensus by April, then there should be consequences for them.”
((REUTERS: STILLS OF WIDODO))
(REUTERS: MILITARY ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY, NO ACCESS MYANMAR))
((NARRATOR))
President Widodo told the Reuters News Agency he was prepared to act decisively if Myanmar did not comply with the consensus, but he did not elaborate on what action Indonesia would take.
((For Yuni Salim, Nova Poerwadi, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 9, 2023 17:55 EST
Byline
((For Yuni Salim, Nova Poerwadi, VOA News.))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
