MT News
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared on 25 October that it objects in the strongest terms on the irresponsible statements and remarks made by some western countries including the United States of America and spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General.
The news of the bombing on the Phakant music concert reportedly carried out by the Tatmadaw aircraft causing the death of some innocent people and Kachin vocalists was learnt to have been fabricated.
The exact site of the incident is located at the base of KIA Brigade-9 which is the site of military operation. It is not the place where the people neither reside nor reach but restricted to the public, it stated.
At the site where the incident took place, KIA together with so-called PDF terrorists used to ambush the security forces frequently, commit disruptive activities and open fire at passenger vessels along the Ayeyarwady River. Therefore, the security forces had to retaliate in self-defence and to take necessary measures against armed terrorists.
Recent reports on the aerial attack which resulted in the death of more than 50 innocent lives and artists disseminated through online media and social networks are just rumours. According to sources, only KIA responsible personnel and so-called PDF terrorists were dead in the incident.
The security forces of Tatmadaw are following the Rules of Engagement-ROE and existing rules and regulations in necessary military operations for combating insurgents and terrorists so as to ensure peace and stability of the region.
The Ministry has learnt that some western countries including the United States of America and the spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General have issued one-sided statements regarding the above-mentioned incident based on facts emanating from groups who are opposing the Government and unverifiable sources from media outlets and social media. In this regard, foreign governments and the United Nations are advised to verify facts before making statements. Issuing statement without proper verification tends to be intentional dissemination of rumours. It is also tantamount to not only meddling of the internal affairs of a state but also the violation of the principles and norms stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also sent diplomatic notes of objection to the embassies and the UN in Yangon which issued the statement on this incident.
Especially, the Ministry underscores the importance of the need to adhere by the member states of the United Nations to the Charter of the United Nations, particularly Article 2, paragraph 7 that prohibits the member states not to interfere in the internal affairs of others.
