A high-ranking U.S. official recently held a meeting with a senior member of the Myanmar armed forces in Vietnam, indicating a potential change in approach to the country’s conflict.
Daniel Kritenbrink, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, met with Kyaw Lin Zaw, a commander in the Myanmar Navy, in Hanoi on June 21-22, as reported by The Diplomat.
Kritenbrink’s visit to Hanoi coincided with the departure of Russian President Vladimir Putin following his state visit to Vietnam. He was joined at the meeting by Peter Lohman, director for Southeast Asia of the U.S. National Security Council, and Susan Stevenson, charge d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Myanmar.
While the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi did not comment on the meeting, a State Department spokesperson referenced Washington’s continued diplomatic efforts to urge the Myanmar military regime to change its course.
Although details of the meeting between Kritenbrink and Kyaw Lin Zaw were not confirmed, the U.S. reiterated its stance on ending violence in Myanmar, releasing unjustly detained individuals, allowing humanitarian access, and supporting a return to democracy based on the will of the people.
The meeting aimed to enhance communication and address the conflict, with the U.S. seeking to engage in dialogue with the military regime. However, challenges remain within the regime, suggesting that complete agreement may not be reached easily.
While the U.S. stated that its policy toward Myanmar remains unchanged, the meeting indicates a potential adjustment in its approach to the ongoing conflict since the 2021 coup. The U.S. has implemented economic sanctions and engaged with opposition groups, including the shadow National Unity Government.
The meeting, conducted with the consent of regional countries like Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, suggests a possible U.S. role in supplementing ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus peace plan. Ongoing obstacles in Myanmar’s conflict, such as mutual hostility among factions, may challenge U.S.-led mediation efforts.
Despite challenges, maintaining communication channels with the military government and opposition groups could be crucial in the event of significant shifts in power dynamics or territorial control across Myanmar.