The United States led governments around the world in calling for the restoration of Myanmar's democracy on Monday after the military staged a coup, arresting civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other politicians. The United States "will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed", White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. She added that the US opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of the November elections, which handed Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) an overwhelming landslide, but sparked allegations of vote irregularities by the routed military-backed party. Newly appointed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also called on Myanmar's military "to release all government officials and civil society leaders and respect the will of the people of Burma as expressed in democratic elections on Nov. 8." Before the coup, Washington, alongside several other Western nations, had urged the military to "adhere to democractic norms" in a Jan. 29 statement that came as the commander-in-chief threatened to revoke the country's constitution. Psaki had said in a statement, Sunday evening, that President Joe Biden has been briefed by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan about the situation in Myanmar. "The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar's democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed," she stressed. She added "we are monitoring the situation closely and stand with the people of Burma (Myanmar), who have already endured so much in their quest for democracy and peace." The European Union Monday strongly condemned the military coup in Myanmar as a clear violation of the country's constitution and an attempt by the "military to overturn the will of the Myanmar people. "President Win Myin, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, and all others who have been arrested must be immediately and unconditionally released," said EU High Representative Josep Borrell in a statement. "The European Union calls for the immediate restoration of the legitimate civilian government in Myanmar, and the swift opening of parliament with the participation of all elected representatives, as foreseen by the constitution," he stated. "Today's actions by the Tatmadaw (army) bring back painful memories of previous decades. Democracy must prevail. We are in touch with our international partners on this most pressing issue to ensure a coordinated response," added the EU statement. The UK condemned on Monday the military coup in Myanmar and the arrest of several officials, including Suu Kyi and Myint. In a press statement, a spokesman for the UK government demanded that the army chiefs abide by the laws, respect human rights principles, and release all those unlawfully arrested. "We need to see the peaceful reconvening of the National Assembly, respecting the results of the November 2020 general election and the expressed wishes of the people of Myanmar," the statement underlined. Earlier today, the Myanmar army declared that Commander-in-Chief Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing assumed power and imposed a state of emergency for a year after the arrest of Suu Kyi, leader of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party, the country's president, and other officials. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also condemned the coup and Suu Kyi's imprisonment. "The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released," he tweeted. China, which regularly opposes UN intervention in Myanmar, called for all sides to "resolve differences." "China is a friendly neighbor of Myanmar and hopes the various parties in Myanmar will appropriately resolve their differences under the constitutional and legal framework to protect political and social stability," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press briefing. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "strongly" condemned the military's detention of Suu Kyi, Myint and other leaders. "These developments represent a serious blow to democratic reforms in Myanmar," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Japan urged Myanmar's military to free Suu Kyi and to restore democracy. "We request the release of stakeholders including state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi who was detained today," Japan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement urging "the national army to quickly restore the democratic political system in Myanmar." European Council President Charles Michel strongly condemned the coup. "The outcome of the elections has to be respected and democratic process needs to be restored," the former Belgian prime minister tweeted. "We call on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes through lawful mechanisms and to release immediately all civilian leaders and others who have been detained unlawfully," Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said. "We have noted the developments in Myanmar with deep concern. India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. The Turkish government, itself the target of a military coup in 2016, condemned the takeover and called for the politicians' release. "We strongly condemn the seizure of power by the Myanmar army. Turkey opposes all kinds of coups and we expect the immediate release of elected leaders, political figures and civilians who have been detained," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Bangladesh firmly adheres to and promotes democratic ethos. We hope that the democratic process and constitutional arrangements will be upheld in Myanmar. As an immediate and friendly neighbor, we would like to see peace and stability in Myanmar," Bangladesh's foreign ministry said in a statement. Norway, Sweden and Denmark condemned the military's seizure of power. "We urge military leaders to adhere to democratic norms and respect the outcome of the elections," Norway's Foreign Affairs Ministry tweeted. Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said civilian leaders and others "unlawfully detained must be released immediately and unconditionally." Denmark's Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said "military under civilian control is a key democratic principle." Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, tweeted that Myanmar's military "wrote the Constitution this way so they could do this." "The Constitution of 2008 was specifically designed to ensure military power was deeply entrenched and protected," he said. — Agencies
