Regular contact is maintained by EU representatives on the ground with pro-democracy groups in Burma.
Developments in Burma, and the desire by the EU to see democratic legitimacy in that country, have been raised on a continuing basis with ASEAN. As President of the Council, as I have already informed the House, I raised the matter of Burma at the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting, on 22-23 July 1996, and the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences, on 24-25 July 1996, in Jakarta.
The EU common position on Burma, which was adopted by the Council on 28 October 1996, provides for a ban on entry visas to EU member states for senior members of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and their families as well as for senior members of the military or the security forces who formulate. implement or benefit from policies that impede Burma's transition to democracy, and their families; and the suspension of high-level bilateral governmental visits to Burma.
In addition, the common position recalls the action that has already been taken by the EU. This action includes expulsion of all military personnel attached to the diplomatic representations of Burma in EU member states and the withdrawal of all military personnel attached to diplomatic representations of EU member states in Burma; an embargo on arms, munitions and military equipment; and the suspension of non-humanitarian aid or development programmes.
The EU common position states further that its implementation will be monitored by the Council and that, in the light of developments in Burma, further measures may need to be considered.