The United Nations special envoy to Myanmar says there is no prospect for a negotiated settlement as “both sides are intent on prevailing by force”. Noeleen Heyzer told the UN General Assembly this week that military rule has been devastating and “violence continues at an alarming scale”. “Heavy fighting has spread to areas previously unaffected by conflict, putting more civilian lives at risk and further complicating humanitarian operations delivering lifesaving assistance to the people of Myanmar,” the envoy warned. She said the regime’s “four cuts” strategy to block access to food, funds, information and recruits also continues to target civilians as collective punishment. Heyzer said the regime has accused resistance forces of violence while the civilian National Unity Government (NUG) continued to point to junta brutality, reports The Irrawaddy. “With both sides intent on prevailing by force, there is no prospect for a negotiated settlement,” Heyzer said.
