Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Foreign Policy.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

247 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland and the EU have adopted a position in relation to the constitutional relationship of Quebec with the Canadian Federation; and if he will state the position of the separatist campaign. [2169/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

Neither Ireland nor the EU has adopted a position on the future status of Quebec, which we would see as a matter for the Government and people of Canada to decide.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

248 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports tougher action against the present illegal regime in Burma/Myanmar; and his proposals at EU and UN levels in this regard. [2170/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

During Ireland's EU Presidency in 1996, the EU adopted a common position on Burma which introduced certain restrictive measures against the military regime in Burma. Since then the common position has been kept under ongoing review and added to in the light of circumstances. The most recent strengthening of the common position took place in April 2000. The next review will take place in April of this year.

The review will take into account,inter alia, the report of the UN Secretary General's special envoy, Ismail Razali, who visited Burma earlier this month. While I understand Mr. Razali has indicated that talks have taken place between the National League for Democracy, NLD, and the military regime, the full significance of these is not clear and further information, including the views of Aung San Suu Kyi on their importance or relevance, will have to be taken into account before a proper evaluation of the present situation can be made.

An EU troika is currently visiting Burma and is expected to have meetings with several key parties. Its report on the visit will also be central to the review of the common position, although the key factors determining the outcome of the review will be the actual conditions and situation in Burma and the prospects for change.

The EU will also present a resolution on the situation in Burma at the forthcoming 57th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in March. Its precise terms, too, will have to take account of any developments in the situation. Against this background, I intend to keep the situation in Burma under close review and to press for carefully measured and targeted adjustments in the EU common position as appropriate.