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US ex-diplomat says Myanmar junta 'open' for progress
Richardson, a former US ambassador to the United Nations and governor of New Mexico, appeared last week in a photo meeting military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who had just been snubbed at a summit of the ASEAN regional bloc.
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Bill Richardson, President, Richardson Center, attends the Doha Forum 2019 at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel in Doha, Qatar, December 15th of 2019. (AFP/Ammar Abd Rabbo)
B
ill Richardson, the former US diplomat turned global troubleshooter, said Monday that he believed Myanmar's junta was open to working with the world on humanitarian relief and possibly more after a rare visit that drew scrutiny.
Richardson, a former US ambassador to the United Nations and governor of New Mexico, appeared last week in a photo meeting military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who had just been snubbed at a summit of the ASEAN regional bloc.
In an interview with AFP, Richardson rejected rebukes by rights advocates and said that he hoped he made progress including in addressing the severe Covid-19 outbreak in the country formerly known as Burma.
"I'm optimistic. I'm hopeful that we made some mild progress that might lead to a better situation," Richardson said on his return to the United States.
"I sensed that they are open to more contact," Richardson said, while adding, "It's going to be difficult."
Richardson said he was invited by the foreign ministry to look at ways to bring in Covid-19 vaccines.
He said that he suggested that Myanmar initially take in two million doses from Covax, the international alliance for developing countries, and that he gave specific recommendations on food delivery to hard-hit parts of the countryside.
