The UN official said that U Kyaw Moe Tun remains the Permanent Representative of Myanmar

The UN official said that U Kyaw Moe Tun remains the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations

On Thursday, September 21, a UN official told RFA that U Kyaw Moe Tun remains the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations. The United Nations Credential Committee, which scrutinizes the appointment of country representatives to the United Nations for the position of permanent ambassador to the United Nations sent by various member countries, decides and approves them.

On September 21, Monica Grayley, spokesperson for the President of the United Nations General Assembly, confirmed the RFA that since the new committee reconstituted for this year has not met once and decided since September 5, the representatives of the countries will remain as approved last year. "After the formation of the new Credential Committee on September 5, there has been no meeting of the committee. The representation will continue as it was before. Those who represented last year will continue this year as well."

On Thursday, the Myanmar Accountability Project, a British-based activist group on Myanmar issues, issued a statement that it supported and welcomed the extension of Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun's position as Myanmar's representative by the UN's Credential Committee.

RFA is trying to contact Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun to find out the latest situation regarding the Myanmar Accountability Project's announcement that the Myanmar representative position has been extended.

U Kyaw Zaw, the spokesperson of the National Unity Government presidential office, said that they are still waiting for the decision of the Credential Committee to represent Myanmar. "We don't know anything yet. There will probably be some discussion among them. The new Credential Committee will be formed this week, so they have to verify and approve the list of representatives sent from all countries in their meetings. Myanmar’s case is a special issue for them. Last year, they decided in November. They decided to approve it from the general assembly in December. I think it will be around that time this year. Currently, we are waiting for the decision of the Credential Committee."

U Than Soe Naing, a political analyst, said that many people support and welcome Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, who stood with the people against the coup military council, to continue to represent Myanmar at the United Nations. "In a situation where the military council is doing all kinds of unjust oppression and violence internally, we are happy to see a person who will tell the world the truth about this situation and continue to stand on the UN stage on behalf of Myanmar."

The UN Credential Committee includes nine countries, including China and Russia, which are close to the Myanmar military council. This committee has to approve the representative of the relevant United Nations member states.

Earlier this month, before the General Assembly to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, Burmese expatriates protested in various countries demanding the continued appointment of Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun as the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations.