Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will request the Government of Burma to work with the UN Secretary General in implementing a plan for national reconciliation; if he will further request the UN Secretary General to remain involved in the reconciliation process and to report back to the Council on a regular basis;if he will urge the Government of Burma to ensure immediate, safe and unhindered access to all parts of the country for the United Nations and international humanitarian organisations to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable groups of the population, including internally displaced people; if he will call for the immediate and unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23302/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland takes a consistently strong position on Burma, including in the European Union framework and at the United Nations. Together with our EU partners, we avail of all opportunities to condemn the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burma and deplore the lack of progress towards democracy.

The recent visit by Mr. Gambari, the UN Under-Secretary-General, to Burma from 18-20 May, was the first high-level visit to that country by a UN representative in more than two years. I welcome the fact that he was able to meet with the most senior Burmese leaders as well as with Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of her party, the National League for Democracy, during the visit. I also welcome the agreement by the Burmese government that the UN should play a role in promoting common ground between the government and the National League for Democracy so that the National Convention, which is due to resume its work in October, can proceed in a more inclusive way. I would appeal to the Burmese authorities to live up to their undertakings in this regard.

While welcoming the above developments, I remain very concerned about the situation. On 26 May, the EU issued a statement which noted with deep concern that the process of democratisation in Burma had recently suffered a worrying setback as the Burmese government stepped up its pressure against ethnic groups and the two main political parties. The statement noted that these actions contradict the professed intention to establish a genuine democratic nation. The statement also urged the Burmese government to accelerate the democratisation process, a process which should engage all political and ethnic forces in the country in a genuine dialogue and lead to the speedy completion of a constitution under civilian rule, which commands popular support and promotes peaceful and sustainable development.

I remain deeply concerned that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained continuously for three years without charge and, once more, urge the Burmese government to restore fully her freedom and civil liberties. UN USG Gambari's visit generated high hopes that her detention under house arrest, which was up for renewal a few days after he left Burma, might not be renewed by the authorities. This did not happen. On 27 May, the EU issued a further statement which deeply regretted the decision of the Burmese government to extend the house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and deplored the fact that international appeals, including that of the EU, had once again gone unheard. It said that this decision will be seen as yet another sign that the Burmese government is unwilling to compromise and move in the direction of an all-inclusive democracy.

I will continue to raise concerns about Burma on all possible occasions and to call on the Burmese government to assume its responsibilities towards its people and to allow the fullest possible UN involvement in a genuine process of democratisation and reconciliation. I am also strongly supportive of the fullest possible involvement by the UN Secretary-General, and his representatives, in working with the Burmese authorities on a genuine process of democratisation and reconciliation and in responding to the humanitarian needs of the long-suffering Burmese people.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the issue of the deaths at Guantánamo Detention Centre and challenge the US on their outbursts on these deaths. [23326/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government regrets the recent deaths at Guantánamo Bay. While the full circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear the fact that three detainees committed suicide is deeply troubling. I welcome the fact that the US government has promised a full review of procedures at the camp and that it has been agreed that the International Committee of the Red Cross may shortly undertake another visit to the camp.

The Government has raised the issue of the detainees in Guantánamo Bay with the US Authorities on numerous occasions and we have always made it clear that we believe that those detained in Guantánamo must be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. This position is shared by the EU as a whole and at the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers that I attended in Luxembourg on 12 June, there was general consensus that Guantánamo should be closed as soon as possible. This is also the view of the UN Secretary General.

As I have said previously, I fully endorse the UN Secretary General's view that those held in Guantánamo Bay should either be charged or released, and that the US should close this facility.