U.S. Department of State Counselor Tom Sullivan and U.S. Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator Michael Schiffer convened a virtual meeting today with leading members of Burma’s opposition movement, including the pro-democracy “National Unity Government” (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), as well as key resistance organizations, the Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Chin National Front (CNF).
Counselor Sullivan and Assistant Administrator Schiffer commended the groups on their collaborative efforts to work on establishing a path toward an inclusive federal democratic Burma. The Counselor and Assistant Administrator Schiffer reiterated that the United States will continue to expand direct support and assistance to pro-democracy actors to help build their cohesion, improve their capability to provide vital public services and humanitarian aid to those in need, and develop concrete steps towards a full transition to civilian governance that respects the will of the people of Burma.
The Counselor and the groups agreed on the importance of maintaining pressure on the military regime to change its course. The Counselor stressed that the United States will continue to promote accountability for atrocities and human rights abuses committed by any parties amid the escalating violence. The Counselor and the representatives pledged to work together with the international community, including the ASEAN and UN Special Envoys for Myanmar, to bring an end to the crisis and establish a pathway to peace and democracy in Burma.
