President Biden Changes Stance a Day After Mentioning "Attack on Democracy"
Signals Active Response Including Aid Suspension
Top Republican Also Emphasizes Sanctions
Demand for Joint Sanctions with Allies Provokes Resentment
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. State Department has officially acknowledged that a military coup has occurred in Myanmar. This comes two days after the coup took place.
On the 2nd (local time), a State Department official stated, "A coup has occurred in Burma." The official explained, "After reviewing the facts and assessing the situation, we have determined that the detention of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint by the military constitutes a coup." The U.S. refers to Myanmar by its former name, Burma.
The official also said, "We demand the immediate release of those detained by the Burmese military leaders."
Since the U.S. has officially defined the event in Myanmar as a coup, foreign aid to Myanmar is expected to be suspended going forward.
One day earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the actions of the Myanmar military in a statement, calling it an "attack on democracy," but did not use the term "coup."
Regarding this, U.S. media reported that the government’s decision to officially label the situation as a coup was a move considering the need to suspend foreign aid.
The official added, "Based on this assessment, restrictions on aid to Burma will be implemented," and pressured, "We will review various support programs related to this coup."
The U.S. side also expressed its intention to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Myanmar and support the civilian democratic camp, instead of continuing support to the Myanmar government.
Sanctions against Myanmar are expected to receive bipartisan cooperation in the U.S. Congress.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted on the same day, "President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and I agree on the urgent need for the U.S. to respond swiftly with our allies to the coup in Burma. We expect the U.S. government to quickly sanction the Burmese military and defend democracy." White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain liked McConnell’s post.
Since McConnell, the opposition Senate leader, also mentioned sanctions against the coup, the U.S. administration has gained a stronger basis to actively impose sanctions on Myanmar.
However, it cannot be ruled out that the U.S. may request allies such as South Korea to join in imposing sanctions on Myanmar. The Biden administration has emphasized alliances in addressing international issues.
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