Discord within ASEAN over how to deal with Myanmar is delaying a crucial meeting of the region’s foreign ministers.
A United Nations envoy has called for Thailand’s support to prevent an escalation of the crisis in neighbouring Myanmar and welcomed assurances that refugees fleeing Myanmar military operations would be protected by the Thai government.
Noeleen Heyzer, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy on Myanmar, made the appeal to Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as the Myanmar situation increased discord within ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and caused the postponement of a ministers’ meeting set for this week.
Heyzer is courting support for international efforts to help displaced people and press Myanmar’s military rulers to commit to a five-point peace plan agreed to with fellow ASEAN members last April.
“The prime minister has an important…
