Myanmar decries move to block junta leader from Asean summit

It is unclear who will represent country at meeting; military-aligned party urges dialogue

YANGON • Myanmar’s military government has rejected a decision by its South-east Asian neighbours to invite only a non-political figure to this week’s summit, in a snub to the leader of the Feb 1 coup.

The junta’s foreign ministry said in a press statement on Friday that the heads of state or government of Myanmar enjoyed equal and full rights to participate in summits of the 10-member Asean. The summit is set for Tuesday to Thursday.

It is not clear who, if anybody, will now represent Myanmar at the meeting.

“Myanmar will not be in a position to accept any outcome of the discussions and decisions which are... contrary to the provisions, objectives and cherished principles of the Asean Charter,” the foreign ministry said in its statement.