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Trump-ally Roger Stone condemned for providing lobbying services to Myanmar’s military junta
TL;DR
Roger Stone has been condemned for accepting $50,000 monthly to lobby for Myanmar's military junta, aiming to improve U.S.-Myanmar relations. This comes as Myanmar faces international isolation following a 2021 coup and accusations of war crimes.
Key points
- Roger Stone condemned for lobbying Myanmar's military junta
- Stone paid $50,000 a month for public affairs services
- Myanmar's leaders face international isolation since 2021 coup
Mentioned in this story
Roger StoneMyanmar military junta
US lobbyist Roger Stone, a longtime friend and ally of Donald Trump, has been condemned for accepting $50,000 a month to “rebuild” relations between Washington and Myanmar’s military-backed government.
Myanmar’s leaders have been internationally isolated since seizing power in a coup in 2021, and have repeatedly been accused of atrocities that may amount to war crimes. Activists say the military rulers, which recently held widely condemned “sham” elections, are now trying to reassert themselves abroad.
According to documents filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act, Stone is described as providing “public affairs services” to Myanmar’s ministry of information.
These services are directed at “rebuilding relations between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the United States, with a focus on trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief,” the filings say.
Stone is listed as a consultant for the firm the DCI Group.
Stone, 73, is a longtime political strategist and Trump confidante. In 2019 he was convicted of obstructing a congressional investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election. He was sentenced to 40 months, but never went to jail. He was granted clemency by Trump in 2020.
Justice for Myanmar, a civil society group, accused DCI Group and Stone of profiting “from a heavily sanctioned junta that is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity with total impunity”.
DCI Group and Roger Stone were both contacted for comment.
The US has imposed various sanctions against individuals and businesses linked to Myanmar’s military over recent years. These were announced both in response to the military’s alleged genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority, which is now before the International Court of Justice, and in response to the 2021 military coup.
Q&A
What lobbying services is Roger Stone providing to Myanmar's military junta?
Roger Stone is providing public affairs services aimed at rebuilding relations between Myanmar's military-backed government and the United States.
How much is Roger Stone being paid for his lobbying work in Myanmar?
Roger Stone is being paid $50,000 a month for his lobbying services to Myanmar's military junta.
What are the international concerns regarding Myanmar's military government?
Myanmar's military government has been internationally isolated since a 2021 coup and is accused of committing atrocities that may amount to war crimes.
