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After Burma Coup Inner City Press Asks IMF of $350M Now Canned UNSC Statement No UK Qs

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Video
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURT, Feb 4 –  Days after the coup in Burma, Inner City Press asked International Monetary Fund spokesperson Gerry Rice abou the $350 million the IMF recently gave the country. Is there any way to ensure it does not now support a military government? Video here.

   IMF spokesperson Rice emphasized that the funds were to combat the COVID pandemic. He added that the IMF has not spoken since the coup with the new regime, which has reinstalled the military's previous figurehead atop the Central Bank. We'll have more on this, including contrasts with the US (which in another embargoed briefing said it is reviewing all aid) and the UN, where SG Guterres refuses all Press questions as does this month's UNSC President Barbara Woodward of the UK.

  The United States, responding to the coup in Burma, is reviewing all of its programs that benefit the Burmese military.

This was said on an embargoed US State Department press conference on February 2, at the same time that the UN Security Council was hold a closed meeting about Myanmar. 

  The US State Department official repeated that cutting US funding would not impair assistance to the Rohingya, and alluded to working with countries with closer ties to the Myanmar government, such as Japan and India.

 While the US State Department official, on background, described sanctions on businesses tied to military figures being considered, there is no chance of UNSC sanctions, give for example China's veto right.

    But the United Kingdom as President of the UNSC for February did not even push to have the Tuesday meeting be open, and UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward on February 1 banned the Press - which was given access to Tuesday's background briefing - from her UN "press" conference (at which not a single question on Africa, for example, was taken).

  Here was and is Inner City Press' question to the UK, as UNSC President: ""on deadline, for UK's response to current developments in Myanmar / Burma. Please confirm receipt." This was sent on January 31 to PR Barbara Woodward, Jaclyn Licht, Sorcha Lowry and Isabella Olex; no answer from them or "spokesman" Mungo Woodifield.

On February 4 from the UNSC, with the UK still blocking Press access and refusing its questions: "The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern at the declaration of the state of emergency imposed in Myanmar by the military on 1 February and the arbitrary detention of members of the Government, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint and others. They called for the immediate release of all those detained.     The members of the Security Council emphasized the need for the continued support of the democratic transition in Myanmar. They stressed the need to uphold democratic institutions and processes, refrain from violence, and fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. They encouraged the pursuance of dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar.     The members of the Security Council expressed concern at the restrictions on civil society, journalists and media workers. They also called for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all people in need, including through the re-establishment of UN relief flights.      The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong support to regional organisations, in particular the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and welcomed the ASEAN Chair’s Statement dated 1 February 2021. They also reiterated their support to the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar for her good offices.     The members of the Security Council reiterated the need to address the root causes of the crisis in Rakhine State and to create conditions necessary for the safe, voluntary, sustainable, and dignified return of displaced persons.     The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Myanmar." Inner City Press will have more on this.

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