Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he and his colleagues at EU and UN level continue to monitor the situation in Burma; the extent of any recent positive interventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21279/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As Deputies will be aware from previous statements in this House, the Government has long been deeply concerned about the situation in Burma. We are very actively engaged at EU and international level in monitoring the situation in that country and in efforts to support the Burmese people in their struggle for justice, democracy and development.

The situation at present is particularly difficult and I regret that there is very little of a positive nature, in terms of the situation and initiatives, on which I can report. The Burmese authorities are pushing ahead with plans to hold elections later this year. Despite a broad view that the terms of the discredited 2008 Constitution virtually precluded the possibility of credible elections, the international community felt it important to do all in its power to urge the regime to conduct elections, and an electoral process, in a way which would be free, fair, inclusive and transparent. We also made clear the need for all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, to be released without delay and for a process of national dialogue and reconciliation, involving all opposition and ethnic groups, to be initiated in advance of the elections. Ireland, the EU, the UN and even a number of ASEAN Members played an active role in such efforts. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was particularly clear in articulating international expectations during his visit to the country last July.

As Deputies will be aware, however, none of this has happened. Instead of being given her freedom, Aung San Suu Kyi's detention was extended for a period of 18 months in August last year, to ensure that she would not be in a position to contest the elections or lead her party in them. Few other political prisoners were released. No effort was made to initiate national dialogue. Military offensives against a number of other ethnic groups continue, designed to crush their resistance in the lead-up to the elections.

The electoral laws issued on 10 March by the Burmese authorities demonstrated unequivocally that there is no interest on their part in listening to what their own people or the international community have been saying in terms of the elections, and no intention to permit an electoral process which might be deemed credible or legitimate by any objective standards. Instead of providing for an inclusive process, which would permit opposition and ethnic groups to participate freely, the electoral laws demonstrated that the elections would be run entirely on the regime's terms and that the regime intended to control every aspect of their preparation, their outcome and the future government that will emerge from them.

The most serious consequence of these electoral laws are the restrictions placed on the registration of political parties and individuals, which have effectively forced Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD party, who have done much to promote justice, democracy and reconciliation in Burma, out of the process,. While this is a deeply troubling development, Aung San Suu Kyi's, and the NLD's decision not to participate in the elections is one we must respect. We will continue to support her in whatever way we can.

In terms of interventions and initiatives in relation to the current situation in Burma, Deputies will be aware that the Obama Administration made a decision to increase its engagement with the Burmese regime, with a view to determining if such a course might help to achieve the objective of dialogue and credible elections. While US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell has paid two visits to Burma in this context, the second last week, and although he succeeded in meeting separately with Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her NLD party, he was unable to make any progress on the agenda of electoral inclusiveness, credibility and legitimacy. The US are not optimistic that the regime will change its position between now and the time of the elections. They will, however, continue to engage with Burma and its regime, while keeping sanctions intact.

The EU plans a similar approach. The European Council agreed last December that, while maintaining its sanctions policy, the EU should send an exploratory, official-level, mission to Burma to examine the possibilities for a more pro-active EU role there. Given the range of negative developments in Burma, I called for a discussion on the situation in Burma and the EU's response to it to take place at the April Foreign Affairs Council. At that Council, we highlighted our very serious concerns at the current situation and, as regards the proposed EU Mission, urged that this be very carefully considered, planned and targeted, with precise terms of reference to be prepared. While there may be grounds for re-assessing the advisability of such a Mission at all, I believe that we should listen to the strong message coming from Aung San Suu Kyi in favour of international engagement.