Government attacked over Burma regime move

OPPOSITION politicians have attacked the Government for establishing diplomatic relations with the Myanmar regime without any debate in the Dáil.

The Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement confirming the move a full 24 hours after it was revealed on the military dictatorship's state sanctioned news service. Myanmar, it said, was "desirous of establishing friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation" with Ireland.

Irish supporters of the Burmese pro-democracy movement said they found out as they monitored the website last Thursday. Burma Action Ireland then contacted the department for confirmation.

Foreign Affairs minister Brian Cowen said on Friday non-resident relations had been established three days after the two sides signed an agreement at the Irish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Minister Cowen said the decision "will ensure that, during the EU Presidency, we can contribute more directly to promoting the process of democratisation and national reconciliation there. We remain concerned at the lack of progress towards this end and at the continued detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi."

Aung San Suu Kyi, a Freewoman of Dublin, heads the pro-democracy movement but has spent much of the last 14 years under house arrest, since leading her opposition party to a sweeping 82% victory in the country's only democratic elections. The military dictatorship ignored the election and continue in power amid allegations of human rights abuse.

The Burma issue will be raised at various meetings during the presidency, including ones between the EU and ASEAN, the south east Asia economic bloc, a Foreign Affairs spokesman said. The EU's common position on the Myanmar regime whereby sanctions are imposed by all is up for review in April.

Labour Deputy Michael D Higgins said there was no debate or indication from the Government and described it as particularly inappropriate during the EU Presidency because of the common position. All other EU countries, bar Luxembourg, maintain relations with Myanmar.

John Copley, of Burma Action Ireland, said: "We accept the Government is acting in good faith. We are however disappointed both about the decision and the timing of same, during Ireland's EU Presidency. Our contacts with representative Burmese pro-democracy groups indicate they too are disappointed."