Exiled Burma leader to meet politicians

Burma’s exiled prime minister will today begin a series of meetings in Dublin following the regime’s crackdown on democracy protests in his native country.

Dr Sein Win, who is a cousin of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, is on an EU lobbying tour which also includes visits to Britain and France.

The political leader will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern in his Department offices today and Dáil TDs at Leinster House, as part of a series of engagements in Dublin and Belfast.

Earlier this month, Mr Ahern said during a UN address in New York that the EU should impose more sanctions on Burma’s military rulers without hurting the ordinary citizens.

He was speaking after a government crackdown on democracy protests led by Buddhist monks captured worldwide attention.

Dr Win’s itinerary also includes the acceptance of an award on behalf of Ms Suu Kyi from the Historical Society of Trinity College Dublin and an address before the society’s students.

Dr Win will travel to Belfast on Thursday to meet with members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and to address a public meeting in Queen’s University, Belfast.

Dr Win was elected prime minister in 1990 following the formation of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) but was prevented from taking office by the Burmese military regime.

He is a brother of General Aung San, the architect of Burma’s independence and founder of the Burma Army.

The delegation also includes Burmese UN diplomat Dr Thaung Htun.

Dr Win was invited by lobby group Burma Action Ireland, which has been raising awareness of the country’s plight since 1996.