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The Foreign Ministers of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) held their annual meeting on Monday, with Myanmar taking priority. ASEAN leadership has been under a cloud for not doing enough to resolve the crisis in Myanmar–one of its key member states.<br />
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The ministers have to select a special envoy for Myanmar so that talks to bring about a peaceful resolution can be held again. Myanmar, after its coup on February 1 this year, hovers on the brink of a civil war with relentless pro-democracy protests.<br />
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ASEAN was talking to the Myanmar military junta to find a solution to the impasse in April, and had agreed to the appointment of a special envoy which was suitable to the military government.<br />
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Just a day earlier, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing–the architect of the military coup, had again said that his government would accept the special envoy to find out a peaceful resolution to the crisis.<br />
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The military government has also given acceptance to Virasakdi Futrakul, former Thai deputy foreign minister. <a href="https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/08/b80da0ffb5a4-asean-foreign-ministers-meet-with-myanmar-special-envoy-on-agenda.html">Japanese news agency <em>Kyodo</em></a>, quoting sources says: &quot;ASEAN sources said Virasakdi has become the strongest candidate but no decision has been made as Indonesia has opposed the selection&quot;.<br />
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The other nominees include Hassan Wirajuda, a former Indonesian foreign minister, and Razali Ismail, a Malaysian.<br />
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The selection of a special envoy by ASEAN, and the envoy&#39;s acceptance by the Myanmar military, is paramount as suspicion hogs peace talks between various groups in the country. The military too has not shown flexibility in talking to the pro-democracy groups and continues to follow the cases against deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi.<br />
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Even though the peace process initiated by ASEAN has been delayed by months, it has found acceptance among numerous countries like India, Japan and even the UN. The five-point consensus for Myanmar was put forth by ASEAN in its extraordinary summit in Indonesia in April.&nbsp;</p>
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<strong>Read More: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/myanmar-junta-leaders-may-hold-elections-by-august-106065.html">Myanmar junta leaders may hold elections by August 2023</a></strong></p>
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