Honourable Senators and Members of the Parliament, as the Prime Minister mentioned we are passing through the most difficult part of the struggle. We need to have effective immediate action to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi because her health has deteriorated. We request Parliament to encourage the Government, which is part of the EU Troika, to immediately send a Troika mission to investigate the health of our leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and to find ways and means whereby the EU could help the national reconciliation process in Burma.
After the Tabayin massacre, the UN Special Envoy, Mr. Razali bin Ismail, made a clear conclusion that it would be unlikely to expect a fully home grown national reconciliation process since the political regime has not the political will to find a solution to Burma's political crisis. He recommended that it is time for the United Nations, in co-operation with other international key players, to formulate a roadmap for democratic transition in Burma. It is already high on the agenda of the UN Secretary General to formulate a roadmap in consolidation with key players. We would like the Irish Government, as well as the European Union, to take part in formulating such a roadmap. It is a difficult and tragic but we believe a UN mediated political settlement is the best option for our country. We need Ireland's assistance to make this political settlement happen.
We need to pass through a national reconciliation process in which all key players, including the military, will participate. We look forward to the establishment of a national reconciliation government, having learned lessons from the transition in South Africa. We are asking for a national reconciliation government that would include the military. It would go through a four-year period during which we would be able to draft a constitution that would accommodate the interests of all ethnic nationalities of Burma. We are asking for a phased negotiated settlement, which would be co-ordinated by the UN. We are also asking for a peaceful transition that would involve the presence of the international community, especially the United Nations.
There is a need to strengthen the UN General Assembly resolution to be considered in November. Ireland has always supported us in our cause at the UN General Assembly to ensure there will be a resolution of the conflict in Burma. We ask the Parliament to encourage the Government to actively participate in the drafting process of the resolution and to ensure that the mandate of the Secretary General is strengthened in order that the special envoy will be able to consult the Security Council members whenever he needs.
More than ten resolutions are before the General Assembly but the military continue to refuse to comply with the contents of them because they are not legally binding. A UN resolution would have more authority than another resolution, but there is no enforcement mechanism for such a resolution. We ask the Parliament to encourage the Irish Government to ensure that the Burma issue is put on the official agenda of the Security Council.
The Burmese people look forward to action being taken by the European Union following the massacre on 30 May. What additional measures will be taken by the European Union? The Burmese people welcomed the immediate response by the US Congress imposing a ban on all products from Burma and imposing a restriction on financial transactions with Burma. That ban has had an impact on the economic base of the military regime and Burmese people appreciate the initiative taken by the US congress. Burmese people look forward to other important lions of the democracy movement, such as the European Union, imposing additional measures. We have already recommended that the European Commission should consider imposing targeted sanctions which would hit the economic base of the military regime's monopolies in the area of mining, timber, oil and gas exploration and fishing. If the European Union were to impose targeted sanctions in these areas, they would have a direct impact on the military regime and that would push the regime to the negotiating table.
I understand that Burma Action Ireland has submitted a recommendation for the consideration of Parliament, which we fully endorse. We would be obliged if the Parliament could pass a resolution at this time when we need an immediate response to help secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi to ensure her safety and physical wellbeing.