Myanmar diplomatic revolt against junta widens after violent crackdown

Myanmar’s junta lost a tug of war over leadership of its UN mission in New York and the United States unveiled new sanctions targeting military conglomerates after the deaths of dozens of civilians protesting against last month’s coup.

With tussles going on over diplomatic loyalties overseas, pro-democracy activists said they planned to hold more demonstrations in Myanmar on Friday to oppose the February 1 ouster of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

“Our federation will be on road to fight the military regime together with the people,” the All Burma Federation of Student Unions posted on social media late Thursday.

Police broke up rallies with tear gas and gunfire in several cities across Myanmar on Thursday, as protesters returned to the streets after the United Nations said 38 people had been killed on Wednesday in the bloodiest day of protests up to now.

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet demanded the security forces halt what she called their “vicious crackdown on peaceful protesters.”

Bachelet said more than 1,700 people had been arrested, including 29 journalists .A spokesman for the ruling military council did not answer telephone calls seeking comment.

A clash over who represents Myanmar at the United Nations in New York was averted – for now – after the junta’s replacement quit and the Myanmar UN mission confirmed that Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun remained in the job.

The junta fired Kyaw Moe Tun on Saturday after he urged countries at the UN General Assembly to use “any means necessary” to reverse the coup. In Washington, it was unclear whether Myanmar’s embassy was still representing the junta, after it issued a statement decrying the deaths of civilians protesting the coup and calling on authorities to “fully exercise utmost restraint.”

One diplomat in the embassy also resigned and at least three others said in posts on social media they were joining the civil disobedience movement against the military government.