Clarification needed on Burma diplomatic links
Mr Cowen claims this initiative will mean Ireland "can contribute more directly to promoting the process of democratisation" and has called on Burma's regime to permit entry to the UN's special representative. This is a vague wish-list and far from what is expected of the EU presidency.
It simply defies reason to act in a way which brings comfort to a regime known to have the world's worst human rights record, in the forlorn hope that it will promote democracy. To add insult to injury, the minister appears not to have consulted or considered the views of the party that has been denied its legitimate place in government in Burma's last free elections of 1990 the National League for Democracy.
Nineteen of its elected members of parliament languish in Burma's jails while its general secretary, Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Laureate and Freewoman of Dublin has spent nine of the last 15 years under house arrest.
Mr Cowen should clarify his intentions for Ireland's new contacts with Burma's regime and explain why he has shown such disrespect to Burma's elected representatives. Perhaps he could ask his new diplomatic partner's permission to visit Aung San Suu Kyi?
Antoinette O'Keeffe
83 Liam Healy Road
Fairhill
Cork
