Myanmar. Joe Biden calls on generals to step down

Myanmar: Joe Biden calls on generals to step down

Joe Biden – US President Biden has asked Myanmar generals to renounce their power after taking control in a coup. Joe Biden is currently building foreign relations & is the 46th elected president of the US.

"With democracy, pressure cannot be utilised against the wish of the citizens."

 

US President Joe Biden on Thursday called on the generals responsible for this week's coup d'état in Myanmar (formerly Burma) to renounce power without conditions.

 

"The Burmese army must renounce the power it has taken, release the defenders and activists it has held, lift restrictions on communications and avoid all violence," President Joe Biden announced in statements at the State Department.

 

"With democracy, pressure cannot be utilised against the wish of the citizens," he stated.

 

Biden was speaking at the State Department in Washington DC, before diplomatic officials, in his first major foreign policy intervention since taking office in January.

 

Before the intervention, the White House had already announced that "specific sanctions" against Myanmar's army are being considered after the military coup that ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

 

"We are considering the possibility of targeted sanctions against both individuals and entities controlled by the military," White House security adviser Jake Sullivan said at a press conference.

 

The United States had already accused, on Tuesday, the Myanmar (formerly Burma) army of having carried out a "coup d'état" against the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, warning that there would be a reduction in US aid to parents.

 

In his speech today, Joe Biden also focused on the situation in Yemen, calling for an end to hostilities and announcing that his Administration will end support and arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition involved in the clashes in the Middle East country, experiencing a serious humanitarian crisis.

 

"We will strengthen our diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen, a war that created a humanitarian and strategic catastrophe," said the American president.

 

"This battle must cease (...) and to highlight our assurance, we shall place a stop to all US backing for offensive operations in Yemen, including the sale of arms," he said.

Joe Biden also announced his intention to multiply by eight, concerning his predecessor's mandate, the number of refugees to be admitted by the United States.

 

The annual share of refugees, he said, will rise to 125 thousand people, compared to 15 thousand this year.

 

Addressing diplomatic personnel, Biden said that "diplomacy is back" at the centre of American foreign policy and promised to "rebuild" the country's alliances.      

Joe Biden – US President Biden has asked Myanmar generals to renounce their power after taking control in a coup. Joe Biden is currently building foreign relations & is the 46th elected president of the US.