PHNOM PENH – The Cambodian prime minister has urged Myanmar’s top general to permit a special Southeast Asian envoy to visit Aung San Suu Kyi. He is making the strongest appeal yet for the junta chief of Myanmar to commit to a regional peace initiative.

Hun Sen was the chairman of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and spoke to Min Aung Hlaing via video on Monday, saying that it was important the envoy met all parties in Myanmar including Suu Kyi. Suukyi has been recently convicted of incitement and corruption.

Myanmar is in chaos since Min Aung Hlaing’s coup against Suu Kyi’s elected government fifteen months ago.

The ASEAN five-point Myanmar Peace “Consensus”, which is backed by major powers and the United Nations, remains the sole formal diplomatic initiative. However, regional leaders feel frustrated by what they perceive as stonewalling from the junta.

A statement by the Cambodian foreign ministry said that Hun Sen had reaffirmed the need for access to the special envoy in Myanmar to meet with all concerned parties… to create a conducive atmosphere to begin an inclusive political dialog.”

Min Aung Hlaing responded by saying it “pledged” to facilitate talks with the other parties involved. It also stated that Myanmar authorities had been facilitating distribution of humanitarian aid.

An official for Myanmar’s military rulers failed to respond immediately to my request.

ASEAN barred Myanmar’s Generals from Attending its Key Meetings, which include an upcoming Summit in the United States until it ends hostilities and allows for dialogue and humanitarian access.

Although the junta stated that it was committed to the accord, they have a responsibility to provide security.

Hun Sen made the call after a March trip by his foreign minister Prak Sokhonn to Myanmar. This visit was criticized by activists and the shadow government as being favoritism. He met with no other conflict parties.

Prak Sokhonn, who was on the trip, said that he had sought to access Suu Kyi but was refused. A few months before, he criticised an earlier envoy for insisting on Suu Kyi acces as being “unproductive”.