International action in Asia .. Washington calls on the Security Council to facilitate the mission of the UN envoy in Myanmar

The American delegate to the Security Council, Linda Thomas Greenfield, called for the council's insistence that the Myanmar military authorities allow the UN special envoy to visit her without preconditions, adding that the statements alone are not sufficient to stop the army in Myanmar.

The American delegate pointed out that the crisis falls directly within the mandate of the UN Security Council, and that only concrete action is capable of changing the military calculations at this stage.

Greenfield’s statements followed the UN Special Envoy’s assertion that the Myanmar military authorities refused to allow her to visit the country. “The army ignored our condemnations and constituted a test for the Security Council,” she said.

She asked, "Will the council argue over the words in another statement or will we work to save the people of Myanmar?"

Estonia, a non-permanent member of the Security Council, said the council - which includes 15 members - needed to start drafting a resolution that could include sanctions on Myanmar, including an international arms embargo.

Estonian Ambassador Sven Jorgenson said, "The United Nations Security Council is the only entity in the world that has the legitimate authority to protect countries at risk, and it must search for every tool in its toolbox to end this terrible situation."

Russia and China have veto powers and have historically opposed international sanctions, although Beijing - the main ally of Myanmar's military - has expressed growing concern about the instability haunting its neighbor.

British criticism

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab criticized the military authorities in Myanmar, against the backdrop of preventing the Myanmar ambassador in London from entering the embassy building.

Following statements in which he declared his rejection of the military coup in his country.

The British minister condemned - in a tweet - the ban, and said it was an authoritarian action by the military regime in Myanmar, reiterating London's call to end the coup and violence in Myanmar.

Raab praised the Myanmar ambassador to London rejecting the military coup in his country, and his demand for the release of detainees, and described his position as courageous.

Military allegations

For its part, the Myanmar Military Council said Friday that the protest campaign against its rule is receding, citing the citizens' desire for peace, while 18 foreign ambassadors called in a joint statement for the return of democracy.

In a press conference in the capital, Naypyidaw, a spokesman for the military council, Zhao Min Tun, said that government ministries will resume work at full capacity very soon.

More than 600 people were killed by the security forces while suppressing protests against the February 1 coup, in which the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Sochi.

Life has been paralyzed in the Southeast Asian country due to the widespread protest campaign and strike waves.

"The reason the protests have subsided is because of the cooperation of the citizens who want peace, and this is appreciated by us," said Zhao Min Tun.

But witnesses and local media said that at least 4 protesters were killed on Friday in the town of Paju, near the main city of Yangon.

Hundreds of dead

The Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners, an activist group, said;

614 - including 48 children - have been killed by the security forces since the day of the coup, and they added that there are more than 2,800 behind bars.

And foreign ambassadors quoted the demonstrators in their statement, "We bow our heads out of respect for their courage and dignity."

"We unite in our stand in support of the hopes and aspirations of all those who believe in a free Myanmar where justice, peace and democracy prevail. Violence must stop, political prisoners released, and democracy must be restored," the statement added.

The statement was signed by the ambassadors of the United States, Britain, the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, and several European countries.

An international visit

On Thursday, the United Nations announced that the Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgen, will visit countries in the region this week.

In order to discuss the Naypyidaw crisis.

This came during a press conference held by Stefan Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the headquarters of the international organization in New York.

Dujarric said that the special envoy will start her trip with a visit to Bangkok (the capital of Thailand), and she will meet with officials in the country, in addition to UN regional officials and ambassadors accredited to Myanmar who are in Bangkok.

He added that besides Thailand, Burgen will consult on visits to the countries of the Association of South Asia (ASEAN) as well as other neighboring countries (without specifying the names or number of countries).