Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 4

Written Answers. - EU Trade with Burma.

Eoin Ryan

Ceist:

60 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, which has been made on the EU Commission's inquiry into the future suspension of a generalised system of preference benefits for Burma; the further restrictions, if any, which the EU is considering in relation to Burma; and, if so, when such restrictions will be implemented. [19077/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

In January of this year the Commission initiated an investigation of forced labour practices in Burma in the context of the European Union's Generalised System of Preferences. The investigation was initiated on foot of a complaint lodged by the European Trade Union Conference and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

Under the terms of the Regulation (3281/94), the investigation must continue for at least one year. The Commission has received submissions on the case and hearings have been held. The report of the investigation is expected early in 1997. The Council of Ministers can be expected to take an early decision on any recommendations contained in the Commission report with regard to the continued application of the benefits of the GSP to Burma.

A number of restrictive measures have already been adopted by the European Union following its great concern at the failure of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to respect the results of the May 1990 elections and the subsequent maintenance of military rule. The military regime has yet to demonstrate convincingly its intention to establish civilian democratic rule within a credible timeframe. Restrictive measures already adopted include:

Expulsion of all military personnel attached to the diplomatic representations of Burma in member states of the European Union and withdrawal of all military personnel attached to diplomatic representations of the member states of the European Union in Burma;

An embargo on arms, munitions and military equipment;

Suspension of development co-operation with Burma, with the exception of humanitarian assistance. Exceptions may be made for projects and programmes in support of human rights and democracy as well as those concentrating on poverty alleviation and, in particular, the provision of basic needs for the poorest sections of the population, in the context of decentralised co-operation through local civilian authorities and non-governmental organisations.

Moreover, one of the conclusions at the General Affairs Council on 15 and 16 July 1996 was to invite the appropriate institutions to consider further restrictive measures in co-operation with other countries. Since then the European Union has requested the UN Special Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and Imprisonment to visit Burma; the UN Special Rapporteur on Burma to investigate the circumstances of the death of Mr. James Leander Nichols; that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights take action on Burma.

The Council of Ministers gave further consideration to the matter of Burma on 1 October 1996. The Council was seriously concerned at the widespread detention of members of the National League for Democracy and the blockading of the road leading to the residence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The European Union called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been detained and to allow for the resumption of normal activities by the National League for Democracy and emphasised the need for a genuine dialogue to commence without delay between SLORC and the National League for Democracy as being the only possible credible way forward for national reconciliation in Burma. The Council also noted that the EU Commission was completing its inquiry into possible future suspension of the Generalised System of Preferences trade benefits for Burma.

The European Union is already closely monitoring the situation in Burma and is actively considering the adoption of further restrictive measures.