Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

We do not have diplomatic relations with Burma and no steps have been taken in this regard. It would be totally unimaginable in the circumstances that we would move in that respect. Because of that, we have no contact with the Burmese authorities and any contacts are made with our partners.

With regard to the response from the Chinese and the Indians, they listened to our views on this. The international community was very glad of the strong statement issued by the ASEAN countries at the height of the troubles. It was felt they might not have been able to issue the statement but the influence of the Chinese and the Indians is critical and they were parties to that substantial statement.

On the question of the number of Irish citizens in Burma, two have come to our attention and it is understood both are safe. There was a suggestion that an Irish-born nun was missing, but we have established that she is safe.

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Burma, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, is permitted to enter the country in the near future, and Dr. Gambari will go there some time in November. At the EU meeting last week, Ireland strongly supported a proposal by the Swedish Foreign Minister for an EU special envoy to work with Dr. Gambari. We are also in favour of the Swedish proposal for a contact group made up of neighbouring countries in the international community to deal with the Burma issue. Likewise, we strongly supported suggestions that further sanctions be imposed on the Burmese authorities. I will travel to Japan at the end of next month and will use that opportunity to raise this issue with the Japanese Foreign Minister, who has expressed a keen interest in it.

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