Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
111 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Government representations made to the military regime in Burma since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 13 February 2004. [23174/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has pursued a strong and consistent line in support of democracy in Burma. Both Ireland, and its EU partners, remain strongly critical of the continued detention under house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the absence of political progress, serious and persistent human rights abuses and the lack of fundamental freedoms in Burma.
The issue of Burma is raised in all our bilateral political contacts at all levels with relevant third countries. As recently as last week, my predecessor took the opportunity of meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Singapore and Indonesia to encourage them to continue to press the Burmese authorities to move towards greater democracy and to release Aung San Suu Kyi.
During our EU Presidency, the Government ensured that the issue of Burma was regularly discussed in consultations with third countries. Burma was included in the agenda for the EU Ministerial Troika to India on 16 February, and was discussed during the troikas at political director level with China on 26 February and Japan on 27 February.
The EU's concerns about Burma also featured throughout discussions at the ASEM Foreign Ministers' meeting — ASEM FMM — which my predecessor hosted in Kildare in April 2004 as well as at the preceding informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers held at Tullamore, and at meetings of the External Relations Council in April, May and June. It was also discussed with Premier Wen of China, when he visited Ireland in May.
Following the ASEM Foreign Ministers' meeting, we continued to work with Burma's Asian neighbours to encourage them to bring their influence to bear on Rangoon. A former senior ambassador, Mr. John Campbell, was appointed as special envoy to the region. He travelled to the region in May 2004, and conveyed the EU's serious concerns about the situation in Burma to our Asian partners.
It is very much to be regretted that the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other positive developments which were widely expected to take place in Burma earlier this year were not forthcoming. The decision to establish diplomatic relations was taken in the context of increased engagement leading to anticipated progress. Given the lack of such progress, the exchange of ambassadors between Ireland and Burma has been put on hold.
