Concerns raised over UN representation

By AFP
03 March 2021
Concerns raised over UN representation
 Myanmar's U.N. Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun speaks inside the General Assembly on Friday, February 26. Photo: UNTV

Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) and the envoy sent by the former NLD government have launched contradictory claims over who represents the country at the United Nations, officials said Tuesday.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun broke with the SAC before the General Assembly on Friday.

The next day the SAC said the envoy had been sacked, but on Monday Kyaw Moe Tun sent a letter to the president of the UN General Assembly to say that he still holds the post.

On Tuesday, Myanmar's foreign ministry sent a note verbale to the UN, obtained by AFP, claiming Kyaw Moe Tun had been removed.

"The ministry of foreign affairs... has the honour to inform that the state administration council of the republic of the Union of Myanmar terminated the duties and responsiblities of ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun", the note said.

"At present, Tin Maung Naing, deputy permanent representative ambassador, has been assigned as the charge d'affaires ad interim of the permanent mission," the note added.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a press briefing that the body had received the two "contradictory" letters.

"We are taking a look at those letters, where they came from and what we will do," he said.

© AFP