Diplomatic links with Burma on hold

IRELAND will never establish diplomatic ties with Burma while Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest, Foreign Affairs Ministers Dermot Ahern said yesterday.

The Irish Government told Burma last year that diplomatic relations were possible if it improved its record on political progress, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

However, Mr Ahern said yesterday the continued house arrest of Ms Suu Kyi since 2003 made diplomatic links impossible.