Sean O’Neill, the nominee for US Ambassador to Thailand, has explicitly stated that the United States will not support the sham election planned by Myanmar’s military council. This declaration was made during his confirmation hearing at the US Senate on July 29. O’Neill emphasized that Thailand should not legitimize the military dictatorship in neighboring Myanmar, and the US State Department will not endorse the fake election that the military council plans to hold in the upcoming early winter period.
The ambassador nominee stressed that if the military council’s sham election does proceed, he would urge Thailand not to recognize it, citing that the military has imprisoned opposition leaders and more than half of the country’s population would be excluded from participating in the election. O’Neill has been serving in the US State Department since September 2011 and currently holds the position of senior official in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. His diplomatic career includes extensive experience in the Indo-Pacific region, having served diplomatic assignments in eight countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, and as Consul General in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
As an experienced diplomat, O’Neill’s statements represent a clear stance from the international community against recognizing the military council that continues to commit violence against the Myanmar people, while showing support for the Myanmar civilians in their struggle for democracy. His remarks during the confirmation hearing reflect the US government’s consistent position of standing with the people of Myanmar rather than the military regime that has been oppressing its citizens since the coup. The ambassador nominee’s strong words against the planned sham election demonstrate the international community’s rejection of the military council’s attempts to legitimize their rule through fraudulent electoral processes.
