Written Answers. - Situation in Burma.
Joe Costello
Ceist:
31
Mr. Costello
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the initiatives his Department is now taking and that the Government will take during the Irish Presidency of the EU in relation to the situation in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26701/03]
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:
89
Mr. Crawford
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will report on the current political situation in Burma; if he recently held meetings with a delegation from the national coalition government of the union of Burma; and if so, if he will report upon their outcome.
[26815/03]
I propose taking Questions Nos. 31 and 89 together.
The EU Common Position on Burma, which provides for a visa ban on members of the regime and a freeze on all their financial assets in the European Union, is due to expire on 29 April 2004. Ireland, together with our EU partners will discuss in the coming months what revisions may be necessary in view of developments in Burma.
At the External Relations Council in April 2003, the EU member states decided to make an exception to the ban on official visits to Burma, to allow an EU troika at political level to travel there to convey the EU's position to all interested parties. However, concerns about the level at which the troika would be received following the events of 30 May 2003, and the effectiveness of such a mission at that time, led EU partners to decide subsequently that the troika would not proceed. The possibility of a troika mission at some future date has not been ruled out.
The EU carried out a series ofdémarches in October 2003 in the capitals of ASEAN member states, and other regional players – China and Japan – in advance of the ASEAN summit. The terms of reference for these urged a credible and transparent process towards democratic reforms, encouraged Asian partners to use their influence in Burma to effect the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, to seek the reopening of the National League for Democracy's offices and the full involvement of all Opposition parties and ethnic groups in the work of the national convention.
Burma was also discussed at the seventh ASEAN + 3 (China, Japan and Korea) summit held in Indonesia on 7 October 2003, which welcomed Burma's pledge to "bring about a transition to democracy through dialogue and reconciliation." The EU also carried out a specificdémarche in Rangoon on 17 October, which set out the same terms presented to Asian partners, in addition to seeking clarification of, and conveying EU observations on, the Myanmar (Burma) road map. Dr. Sein Win, head of the Burmese Government-in-Exile, visited Ireland from 16-18 September 2003. Officials of my Department met with Dr. Win on 17 September, and were briefed by him and his delegation on the current situation in Burma, and on the road map produced by the Government-in-Exile. This is the latest in a series of meetings my officials continue to conduct with parties concerned with Burma. Dr. Win also briefed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.
To date, no progress has been made in Burma towards the restoration of democracy. While the Burmese Government has issued a road map, it lacks basic elements and benchmarks, such as the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, a chronological framework for the restoration of democracy and national reconciliation, and a role for ethnic minorities; neither does it address the role the international community might play in assisting the transition to democracy. Recently, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burma, Mr. Sérgio Pinheiro, reported that Aung San Suu Kyi is no longer under security detention, but that she has refused to accept the removal of restrictions on her freedom until these are extended to her supporters arrested with her.
Ireland will continue to contribute to the on-going efforts in the region, and to discussion at EU and other fora on possible action on Burma. We will also continue to take every opportunity to register our serious concern at the situation in Burma and, along with our EU partners, to closely review events there.
