Michael Creed
Question:165 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has considered providing financial support to the Burmese Government in exile. [21905/00]
Written Answers. - Burmese Democracy Movement.
Funding of £75,000 has been provided during 1999 and 2000, through the human rights and democratisation scheme administered by Ireland Aid, for a capacity building project for the Bur mese democratic movement in exile. This project was submitted for support to Ireland Aid by Trócaire.
There were two distinct components to this project, the first was a training programme in public administration and management for members of the Burmese democracy movement. This element of the project took place in February and March 2000 at the Institute of Public Administration and was regarded as having been very successful. The second element of the project took place earlier this month when a group of exiled Burmese members of parliament visited Ireland and participated in a conference also hosted at the Institute of Public Administration.
During both elements of this project, meetings took place between some of the visiting participants and officials of my Department. At the most recent such meeting, in early October, it was confirmed that Ireland Aid would consider providing further support for projects involving the Burmese democratic movement in exile, upon receipt of appropriate proposals.
In addition, Ireland will continue to work actively through the EU and other relevant international fora to maintain pressure on the Burmese military regime in order to persuade it to change its present policy and to initiate dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and the supporters of democracy in Burma.