Madam, - The Government has recently announced the agreement to appoint Ireland's ambassador in Kuala Lumpur as non-resident ambassador to Burma. This decision was taken in the context of Ireland's current presidency of the European Union and the need for Ireland, as EU presidency, to be in a position to deal directly to the Burmese authorities. Of the other EU member-states, only Luxembourg does not have an ambassador accredited to Burma.
The human rights situation in Burma is a matter of considerable concern to the international community. Both Ireland and the EU have been strongly critical of serious and persistent human rights abuses and lack of fundamental freedoms in Burma. We have, in particular, demanded the release of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, who, together with other members of the National League for Democracy, is currently being held in detention.
Before submitting to Government a proposal on the appointment of an ambassador to Burma, I asked our ambassador designate to visit Rangoon to consult various parties. During that visit, the ambassador visited Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, who was at that time between periods of detention, and asked her for her reaction to the proposal that Ireland appoint an ambassador to Rangoon. She indicated that she would welcome such a move on the part of Ireland.
Following the re-arrest of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi on May 30th last year, the Government was faced with the decision whether to go ahead with the appointment. Two significant factors influenced the decision to proceed. First, that our previous unwillingness to appoint an ambassador to Burma, however satisfying it may have been as a gesture of disapproval, had not the slightest effect on the behaviour of the Burmese authorities. Second, that in the first half of this year, Ireland would hold the EU presidency and would have both the opportunity and the responsibility to speak to the Burmese authorities on behalf of the EU in favour of an improvement of the human rights situation in Burma and the release of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi.
I am confident that the Government's decision is the right one. Our ambassador designate will be visiting Burma next week. He will use that opportunity to put our views to the Burmese authorities. We are also working with Burma's Asian neighbours to encourage them to bring their influence to bear on Rangoon. Our goal continues to be the return of democracy to Burma, an end to human rights violations, and the realisation of peace and prosperity for the long suffering people of Burma. The appointment of an ambassador to Burma increases our influence in helping to bring this about. - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN COWEN, TD,
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Dublin 2.