Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Conflicts

10:00 am

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his EU colleagues have focused on the situation in Myanmar-Burma; the result of any such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30180/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware from previous statements in this House, most recently on 20 May, the Government has long been deeply concerned about the situation in Burma. We remain very actively engaged at both the EU and international level in monitoring the situation in the country and in our 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 still 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. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was particularly clear in articulating international expectations during his visit to the country last July.

However, 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 to lead her party in them. Few other political prisoners were released and 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. Instead of providing for an inclusive process which would permit opposition and ethnic groups to participate freely, the electoral laws demonstrated that the regime intends to control every aspect of the preparation of the elections, their outcome and the future government which will emerge from them.

The most serious consequence of these 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, to disband as a political organisation.

The Deputy will be aware that the Obama Administration took the 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 most recent in early May, 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 is not optimistic that the regime will change its position between now and the time of the elections. They will, however, continue to engage with the regime, while maintaining sanctions.

The EU is pursuing 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 regarding the current situation and urged that the proposed EU Mission be very carefully considered, planned and targeted. While there are concerns in relation to organising this visit, it is important that we listen to the strong message from Aung San Suu Kyi supporting international engagement.

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