Experts call for 'humanitarian corridor' to protect civilians in Myanmar

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - A humanitarian corridor to save civilians in Myanmar must be established within a "realistic" view of the situation on the ground, experts said Tuesday, marking the first anniversary of a military coup in the Southeast Asian nation.

The international community should provide support to put the country back on the path to democracy and for its transfer of power to an interim government so it can "prevent future coups," said Saw Nimrod, a representative of the Karen National Union (KNU)‚ an opposition group in Myanmar.

"Conflict is likely to escalate this year, (so) there's a need to declare a no-fly zone and establish a humanitarian corridor along the border with Thailand," he told a virtual conference on the situation in the country jointly hosted by Indonesian daily The Jakarta Post, the Asia News Network and the Thai Public Broadcasting Service.

On Feb. 1, 2021, Myanmar's military seized power after allegations of fraud in the 2020 general elections.

The army arrested leaders and officials of the then-ruling National League for Democracy party along with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, and declared a state of emergency which has been extended until middle of this year.

Suu Kyi faces a number of cases, and was sentenced to six years imprisonment for charges that include violating coronavirus restrictions and possessing “illegally imported” walkie-talkies.

The military takeover has triggered mass protests and a crackdown on dissent with more than 1,500 civilians killed, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a local monitoring group.

- Cooperation with Thailand from outside

Taking part in the event, which was titled Myanmar: Year Zero Plus One, retired Gen. Nipat Thonglek said concrete measures "must come from outside."

"We need more cooperation from outside to do something," insisted Thonglek, who is also a former permanent secretary for defense of Thailand.

Referring to the KNU's request for a no-fly zone and safe zone for civilians, Thonglek said: "It's reasonable and logical. I'm happy to hear these statements, but no one listens."

Bertil Lintner, a strategic consultant, urged all parties to have a "realistic" view the situation on the ground, "with no wishful thinking."

Another speaker, senior Thai official Panitan Wattanayagorn told the panel that Thailand would not act alone "in terms of helping people of Myanmar."

"Myanmar's people must open the gate for Thailand to get in to help,” said Wattanayagorn, chairman of the Thai prime minister's Security Advisory Committee.

He suggested all stakeholders and confronting parties "really should look to this opportunity (where) officers from different parties meet in a non-official capacity."

"Civil society organizations are very much interested," he said, adding that these groups want to discuss "how humanitarian issues can move forward this year."

On the establishment of a humanitarian corridor and safe zone, as well as the depoliticization of humanitarian assistance, he stressed that "Thai civil society can't do it alone, we need help from different parties in Myanmar to allow this to happen ... to deliver help to people in need."

One possibility would be to "complement" the ongoing initiatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the UN, and the Red Cross, the Thai official said.

He added: "Thailand cannot invite itself in, all parties have to agree to it."

- 'China powerful to end coup'

A senior official of Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) who joined the panel urged a "cease-fire with the people of Myanmar."

The NUG is a government in exile formed by former officials, lawmakers, and politicians who fled the country after a crackdown by the coup government last year.

"This is clear and loud ... This is a fight between people and a handful of military junta and generals," said the NUG's minister of international cooperation and spokesman, named Dr. Sasa.

Sasa said ASEAN "has no strategy" on Myanmar nor "any inclusiveness in engagements."

"It is unacceptable because people are dying ... People are losing faith in ASEAN" he said. "There has to be one concrete message from ASEAN."

Pointing to Beijing, he said China had the power to "stop coup today."

However, he said there were "several hundred Chinese companies" investing in Burmese entities directly under military control. "It's complicated for them to solve this problem overnight."

He insisted, however, that "democracy is the only way to stability in Myanmar."

- 'Guarantees to junta path towards ending conflict'

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who in the past served as Malaysia's defense and foreign minister, told the conference that Myanmar's military "has been entrenched for a long time.”

"You can't just ask the military to give up," he said.

He suggested to provide "some guarantees" to the military if there is to be any "best democratic way ahead."​​​​​​​

He stressed the international community should seek to make inroads into the country with efforts centered on "food security, humanitarian assistance," as this would be easier to achieve.

Hamidi added: "We must look at a strategy that (ensures) the military must be out for good. But, there must be room for discussion."

On Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's trip to Myanmar early last month, he said the premier went "on his own" and not as an ASEAN representative.

He also added that, as things stand, the bloc would not be able to achieve its goals in Myanmar as "there is no plan of action."