U.S. partners should engage with Myanmar opposition: Blinken adviser

Countries not asked to choose between U.S. and China, Derek Chollet says

Derek Chollet, counselor for the U.S. State Department, discussed Washington's partnership with countries in Southeast Asia. (Photo by Masahiro Okoshi)

MASAHIRO OKOSHI, Nikkei Washington bureau chief

March 17, 2023 09:55 JST

WASHINGTON --The U.S. hopes that Japan and other Indo-Pacific partners actively "engage with" Myanmar's opposition to "hear about their hopes" for a democratic future, says a senior U.S. foreign policy adviser.

"We very much hope that our partners, within Southeast Asia, but also throughout the Indo-Pacific, would engage, visibly engage, with the pro-democratic opposition," U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet told Nikkei. Chollet serves at the rank of undersecretary and advises Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a variety of issues.