Myanmar’s UN envoy opposes coup, gets fired

 United Nations/Yangon : Myanmar’s UN ambassador strongly opposed the military coup in his country and appealed for the “strongest possible action from the international community” to immediately restore democracy, in a dramatic speech to the UN General Assembly on Friday that drew loud applause from many diplomats in the global body. He was fired soon after.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun began his statement saying he represented Aung San Suu Kyi’s “civilian government elected by the people” in November, and supported their fight for the end of military rule.

He urged all countries to issue statements strongly condemning the February 1 coup, and to refuse to recognise the military regime. “It is time for the military to immediately relinquish power and release those detained,” Tun said, adding: “We will continue to fight for a government which is of the people, by the people, for the people,” he vowed. Tun’s statement not only drew applause but commendations, with speaker after speaker describing the speech as “courageous,” “powerful” and “brave.”

But just hours later, police launched their most sweeping crackdown in three weeks of protests in towns and cities across Myanmar, and one woman was shot and wounded while dozens of people were detained.