CNI News
5 April 2025
The Federal Union Alliance (FUA) has sent a letter to the US Embassy requesting the release of one billion US dollars belonging to Myanmar held by the US government to help the earthquake-affected people in Myanmar carry out rehabilitation work, U Htet Aung Kyaw, vice chairman of the National Democratic Force Party, member of the FUA, told CNI News.
On April 2, 2025, the Federal Union Alliance (FUA) issued a statement calling for the release of $1 billion owned by the Myanmar government that were withheld by the US government due to the political crisis in Myanmar in 2021 to be used for the rehabilitation of the Burmese people.
They had to make a decision to ask that money because it was a time of the public need; because it was a humanitarian request, they didn't think that the US government would refuse it, U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News.
"It is known that under the NLD government, one billion dollars was deposited in the United States. We don't know exactly why it was deposited. We also found out when the NUG requested permission from the US government to release it. The US government has frozen it without issuing any organization. We made a decision to request the US government to release it because the public is desperately in need of money. We don't think that the US government will refuse because it's a humanitarian request. So, we sent a letter to the US Embassy."
While seeing the statement released by the FUA
The Federal Union Alliance (FUA) was formed on December 7, 2024, by five political parties, with the aim of creating a union state based on democracy and federalism for the future of Myanmar.
The five parties are the National Democratic Front Party (NDF), the Tai Leng (Shanni) National Development Party (TNDP), the Naga National Party (NNP), the Karen People’s Party (KPP), and the Kachin State People’s Party (KSPP). Because the money deposited is owned by Myanmar, the people should accept to take the money, chairman of the TNDP Sai Htay Aung told CNI News.
" This money is state-owned. The people should accept it whenever it is withdrawn. I can't say exactly how much it will cost for the rehabilitation. So, it is necessary for the US to issue the money back. The people also should accept the money. The people accepted the money in the past. But some people prevented the US from issuance. So, the US didn't issue it." he said.
While seeing the devastation caused by the earthquake
If the money that the US has kept is issued, the current government must take the accountability whether it arrives in the hands of the people or not, he added.
" The current government must take the accountability whether the money arrives in the hands of the people. The people will know if the US announces it has issued the money. The government must present to people if it has accepted the money. It must be carried out in accordance with the law, I think." he said.
A very strong earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale and subsequent aftershocks struck Myanmar on March 28. The earthquake killed 3,085 people, injured 4,715, and left 341 missing in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, and Naypyidaw Council area, according to the latest list released by SAC as of 8 a.m. on April 3.
