Start talks, Myanmar junta urged

Cambodia, the incoming chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), will push Myanmar’s military rulers to open dialogue with its opponents, its foreign minister said on Thursday.

Warning Myanmar was on the “brink of civil war”, Prak Sokhonn said Cambodia would appoint a new special envoy to Myanmar to start work early next year when it takes the reins of Asean.

The current envoy, Erywan Yusof, represents outgoing Asean chair Brunei.

“While we all respect the principle of non-interference into domestic affairs of member states, the situation in Myanmar continues to be a subject of grave concern,” Sokhonn told Reuters.