| European Relations with Myanmar 2012 |
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EU Council adopts Regulation suspending sanctions
Visit of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton to Myanmar
'No guarantee' for democracy in Myanmar - German Foreign Minister Handelsblatt - 29 April 2012  German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that democratisation in Myanmar was in no way guaranteed. He asked for "fair" access for the German business. "Germany wanted no special treatment." However, he was not an investment adviser and would give no recommendation about investment. Suu Kyi was "cautiously opitmistic" on the question of the democratisation process in her country. Westerwelle is the most senior German visitor to the country for decades. "How far the reforms will be sustainable, only time will tell", said Westerwelle. Suu Kyi told 'Handelsblatt' that foreign economies could play an important role in supporting democracy. But it must first be assured that laws are protected and can be implemented by a sound functioning process of justice. [Article in German]
 The Telegraph - 26 April 2012 The Foreign Office will establish a "British interests office" in Burma's new capital Naypyidaw, Mr Hague said in a written statement to MPs. "A British interests office in the administrative capital would strengthen the work of our embassy in Rangoon (Yangon) and demonstrate our intention to step up engagement with the Burmese government and people.The office would provide enhanced access to government interlocutors who are based in Naypyidaw. This access would be vital for UK/Burmese relations and for encouraging democratic reform in the country."
Associated Press - 26 April 2012 British Foreign Secretary William Hague says his country will encourage trade and investment with Myanmar as the Southeast Asian country takes steps toward democracy. Hague said in a speech Thursday in Singapore that Britain will end its policy of discouraging trade with Myanmar. He said "now is the right time for responsible" trade and investment to help aid Myanmar's transition. Hague said his government consulted with Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi before making the decision. EU Council Conclusions on Burma/Myanmar Press Office of the Council of the European Union - 23 April 2012 Extract: "As a means to welcome and encourage the reform process, the Council will suspend restrictive measures imposed on the Government, with the exception of the arms embargo, which it will retain. The Council will monitor closely the situation on the ground, keep its measures under constant review and respond positively to progress on ongoing reforms."
European Parliament calls for lifting of Restrictive Measures  The Information Daily - 23 April 2012 The European Parliament has called on the Council to suspend EU restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar, except the arms embargo in a resolution adopted on Friday. The restrictive measures should be lifted for an initial period of one year, during which political and economic reform in the country should be closely monitored. Parliament also calls on the Council and the Commission to consider allowing Burma/Myanmar privileged access to the EU market, so as to help the country fight poverty and to ensure that EU measures benefit broad swathes of the population. The resolution was adopted with 523 votes in favour, 4 against and 13 abstentions. Statement in the House of Commons on behalf of the Foreign Secretary Hansard Record of Proceedings - 20 April 2012  David Lidington, Minister for Europe, told the House of Commons on 20 April 2012 that the Foreign Secretary William Hague will attend the EU Foreign Affairs Committee meeting in Luxrmbourg on 23 April 2012. On Burma/Myanmar, Mr Lidington said: "We expect conclusions that recognise positive progress in Burma against the EU benchmarks agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council of 23 January. These benchmarks include the release of political prisoners, a number of initial ceasefire agreements with some ethnic groups, and the generally positive conduct of by-elections on 1 April. We will also push for the suspension of EU sanctions except those relating to export of military equipment. The Prime Minister set out our approach during his visit to Burma of 13 April. "The conclusions may make reference to remaining issues, such as the lack of humanitarian access to conflict areas and a number of remaining political prisoners. We would also like the conclusions to stress that any commercial engagement by EU companies should promote the highest standards of integrity and corporate social responsibility." Derek Tonkin writes: The Minister's reference to "the highest standards of integrity and corporate social responsibility" reflects EU High Representative Catherine Ashtons' speech to the European Parliament on 17 April when she said: "We will encourage European companies to look for opportunities in Burma and also to bring the highest standards of corporate social responsibility with them." This would strongly suggest that after 23 April the UK will no longer actively discourage trade, investment and tourism with Myanmar, which has been their position until now.
EU to ease sanctions further: Catherine Ashton  Agence France-Presse - 17 April 2012 The European Union will ease its sanctions imposed on Myanmar further after recent pro-democracy steps taken by the country, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Tuesday. "In January, we suspended the visa bans on the Government of Myanmar. At the end of this month, we will do more," Ashton told the European Parliament. Decisions would be taken by EU foreign ministers at their next meeting in Luxembourg on Monday. "Removing sanctions and increasing aid is not enough. We all recognise the vital contribution the private sector has to make. We will encourage European companies to look for opportunities in Burma and also to bring the highest standards of corporate social responsibility with them. In a longer perspective, the EU hopes to re-instate the Generalized System of Preferences for Myanmar, following the assessment of the International Labour Organisation." The EU was widely expected to authorise investments and imports of sensitive products but the lifting of an arms embargo does not seem to be on the agenda. Ashton said she would travel to Myanmar April 28-30. "We need to go further and build a partnership with Myanmar," she said adding that she had invited Myanmar's foreign minister to Brussels. Full text at this link.
UK cozies up in Myanmar  Asia Times Online 16 April 2012 Francis Wade reports that: "Speaking to Asia Times Online, a British foreign ministry official said that it 'remains UK policy to discourage trade with Burma [Myanmar]. This has not changed.' Quite how that marries with a push to end the ban on investment is unclear. Cameron, an outwardly pro-market conservative, will want to plant an early stake in Myanmar's future in the wake of a series of economic reforms that have sought to attract greater foreign investment, particularly as signs point toward rising competition for an early foothold in the country." Derek Tonkin writes: In his joint press conference with Suu Kyi on 13 April 2012, David Cameron said: "I'm committed that Britain should do what it can to help not only with political progress, but also development and economic progress too, and he went on to say: "And this sanctions suspension should cover everything apart from the arms embargo. I think this would give the greatest level of certainty and clarity." Less than 30 seconds later however he said: "But this sanction - let me be clear - this covers everything apart from the arms embargo and any other specific measures that Britain itself would have put in place in terms of discouragement. So I think this is a very clear message, but let me be absolutely clear…….." If I have interpreted David Cameron's "very clear" message correctly, the proposed suspension of sanctions covers everything apart from the arms embargo and apart from any other specific measures which Britain alone has put in place by way of discouragement. Over the weekend, both Australia and Norway announced that they were now fully encouraging trade and investment and removing all or most sanctions. The intriguing possibility arises that, whatever the EU Foreign Affairs Council may decide on 23 April, Britain might soon be alone in the Western world in still discouraging trade and investment with Myanmar, and perhaps even tourism as well. The reaction of British commercial, industrial and financial interests is unlikely to be all that supportive. Fortunately, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton told the European Parliament on 17 April: "We all recognise the vital contribution the private sector has to make. We will encourage European companies to look for opportunities in Burma and also to bring the highest standards of corporate social responsibility with them. In a longer perspective, the EU hopes to re-instate the Generalized System of Preferences for Myanmar, following the assessment of the International Labour Organisation." David Cameron has enough problems already at home without clashing with British exporters and investors. I would not be surprised if British "discouragement" quietly evaporates after 23 April. Comment on David Cameron's call for the suspension of sanctions
Suu Kyi joins UK call to ease sanctions  Financial Times - 13 April 2012 The FT reports that Mr Cameron’s calls for the suspension of sanctions were met with mixed reactions by EU diplomats. One said privately that the UK prime minister was “jumping the gun” by publicising his position ahead of the visit by the EU’s foreign policy chief Lady Ashton on April 28 to open the EU’s new embassy in Yangon. Another senior EU diplomat said Mr Cameron’s statements were “just one side” of the heated discussions taking place in Brussels. “This will all come to a head on April 23, when some sanctions will be lifted, some will be suspended and the arms embargo will be maintained. Of course, it will amount to a major easing, but in what form we can’t say right now.” Mr Cameron’s clear message on maintaining the EU’s ban on military ties and defence sales is likely to be echoed by the US and other western countries. The concern in Myanmar government circles is that any EU decision to suspend, rather than lift, other curbs could influence the US position. Derek Tonkin writes: There has been strong EU pressure on the UK in the run up to the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 23 April to behave more sensibly over sanctions. Not only is there an urgent need, some 12 months after the reformist government of President Thein Sein took charge, to respond positively to the changes which have taken place, but there is also growing concern about the extent to which sanctions have caused stagnation in the economy generally and have mainly affected the population. The view in the UK press on 14 April is that "suspension" is tantamount to the lifting of sanctions, since their reimposition would pose considerable problems. It was important however for David Cameron to secure Suu Kyi's endorsement and "suspension" was an acceptable face-saving formula for them both. There is now pressure on the US and Canada to respond positively to Suu Kyi's revised position on sanctions. The US has throughout maintained a Defence Attaché in Myanmar. So too has Australia. US Special Envoy Derek Mitchell has made a point of holding discussions during his visits to Myanmar with the Minister of Defence, Major General Hla Min. EU countries withdrew Defence Attachés some years ago, but many question whether this was a sensible decision in view of the resultant loss of intelligence on and contact with the Armed Forces. Transcript of Joint Press Conference with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi No. 10 Downing Street Press Office - 13 April 2012 David Cameron says Burma sanctions may be eased BBC News - 12 April 2012 Prime Minister David Cameron has praised Burma's moves towards democracy and said the UK stood ready to respond by easing sanctions on the country. But ahead of his historic visit to the country on Friday, he added: "First I want to go and see for myself on the ground how things are going." Mr Cameron told BBC Radio 5 live he would also meet President Thein Sein and "thank him for the work that he has done" on democratic reform. Asked if sanctions should be eased, Mr Cameron said: "If Burma moves towards democracy then we should respond in kind, and we should not be slow in doing that."
"Now, where reform is beginning, like in Burma, we must get behind it. So let us pay tribute to those who for decades and at huge personal cost to themselves have fought for that reform and fought for that freedom, not least of course the inspirational Aung San Suu Kyi. Let us also pay tribute to the leadership of President Thein Sein and his government which has been prepared to release political prisoners, to hold by-elections and to legalise political parties that had previously been outlawed. "And let us show that when they have the courage to reform we have the courage to respond. And when the foundations of reform have been laid, like here in Indonesia, we must build democracy until it is fully established and unassailable. That is what you are doing. Under the leadership of President Yudhoyono, Indonesia now has a proud record of democracy in South East Asia and is helping to support reform in Burma. " Cameron to make historic Myanmar trip  Financial Times - 9 April 2012 A minister in President Thein Sein’s cabinet told the Financial Times that Mr Cameron’s stopover on Friday 13 April, although hastily arranged, would be “an important moment” for Myanmar. It comes ahead of a crucial meeting of European Union countries on 23 April in Brussels to reconsider the bloc’s Myanmar sanctions policy, and before Mr Thein Sein’s trip to Japan in late April. A government adviser said there was “a certain degree of irony” in the fact that Mr Cameron would be the first western leader to visit since international sanctions were imposed.
Statement on behalf of the EU High Representative on the reform process EU Press Office - Brussels 28 March 2012 The High Representative Catherine Ashton welcomes "the remarkable programme of political reform" undertaken by the President and his Government, sees the forthcoming by-elections as "a key moment in national reconciliation" and while welcoming the generally peaceful nature of the campaign, express concern about reports of intimidation and other irregularities. EU deploying an expert team for the by-elections in Myanmar The announcement applauds the fact that the "remarkable transition" to a multi-party system has been peaceful and orderly so far, but notes shortcomings in the conduct of the electoral campaign, some minor, some relics of the past, but some serious like reports of intimidation. Recent remarks in the House of Commons on Burma/Myanmar 19 March 2012 - Statement by Foreign Secretary William Hague on the informal ("Gymnich") meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Copenhagen 9-10 March 2012 Extract: Ministers debated the utility of sanctions as a lever of foreign policy. I and other Ministers argued that well-targeted sanctions could influence regime capability and behaviour. Recent examples include the effect of sanctions on the regime in Burma and formerly in Libya. Ministers took the view that EU sanctions should target regime behaviour, not innocent civilians; should be targeted and reversible; and should not be used in isolation from other measures. Ministers further noted that they were more effective when co-ordinated with the UN and other key actors; and when their purpose was better communicated. Ministers agreed that sanctions were just one element of the EU toolkit. Positive incentives - market access; enlargement; development spend - could also influence third countries. A sophisticated approach combining positive and negative levers was needed, depending on circumstance. 19 March 2012 - Reply by FCO Minister of State Jeremy Browne to a Written Question on forced labour in Burma in the context of the renewal of EU policy next month.Extract: The International Labour Organisation and Burmese Government are planning to increase their level of co-operation and plan to put in place a comprehensive strategy that aims to tackle forced labour- both civilian  and military - by 2015. This will involve setting up a joint working group with Burmese authorities to deepen co-operation on several issues, including forced recruitment, under-aged recruitment, human trafficking, forced child labour, forced labour in the private sector, use of conflict porters, and forced labour associated with land confiscation. [Text of Memorandum of Understanding between the Myanmar Government and the ILO at this link.]The resolution of these issues forms part of a broader agenda of reconciliation with ethnic groups on which the UK expects the Burmese authorities to have made progress before we can consider lifting EU restrictive measures. However, we are cautiously encouraged by the developments we are now seeing. We hope this process will continue to address what are extremely serious issues, and make a positive difference to the people of Burma. We shall stay in close contact with international bodies and local contacts to keep updated on how these policies are implemented. Assessing Burma/Myanmar's New Government Transnational Institute - Conference Report A two-day conference subtitled 'Challenges and Opportunities for European Policy Responses' was organised on 22-23 February 2012 in Amsterdam to assess ongoing political and social changes in Myanmar. Analysis during the conference revealed the rapid pace of recent changes, welcoming the potentiaL that this provides for reconciliation and addressing long neglected needs. But progress also requires realism and the inclusion of all citizens to foster stability and national advancement. Read more.....  Encouraging Myanmar's Transition: A Role for Europe Friends of Europe - 29 February 2012 Policy briefing by Shada Islam, Head of Policy, and Patricia Diaz, Project Executive. "As history speeds up in Myanmar, Europe can play a vital role in encouraging sustainable democracy, reform and economic progress in the country. A positive start has been made. In recent visits to Myanmar, European foreign ministers and senior officials voiced support for the military-backed civilian government’s efforts at political and economic change. European Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has pledged a 150 million euro two-year aid package to improve health, education and agriculture and help displaced people in conflict zones. European businesses, meanwhile, are increasingly interested in Myanmar's natural resources - oil, gas, timber and gemstones - and are also looking to invest in tourism, financial services, hotels, telecommunications networks and infrastructure." Read more..... Derek Tonkin writes. The authors conclude that a 'big bang' approach to trade and investment is likely to be more effective than a step-by-step policy, both as regards EU support for Myanmar's future development and Europe's standing as an important actor in the wider Asia Paxific region. Sadly, such a dynamic approach cuts across the attachment to "benchmarks" and conditionality to which hard-line countries like the UK are committed: FCO Minister of State Jeremy Browne on 28 February 2012: "I think it right for Britain to maintain a position on trade with Burma which is very tough....." [Hansard, House of Commons - Oral Questions 28 Feburary 2012] EU moves on Myanmar questioned Inter Press Service - 19 February 2012 Extraordinary political changes in the year since former army general Thein Sein came to power in Myanmar have prompted European powers to ease restrictions on the isolated nation, raising questions whether such rewards are too little or too much. Citing "the remarkable programme of political reform," the European Union announced on Feb. 17 it was lifting its travel ban on President Thein Sein and 86 other senior leaders from Myanmar (also known as Burma). The European Council, representing heads of the EU’s 27 countries, also said it would review other sanctions by the end of April. While acknowledging the steady progress since Thein Sein became the civilian president in March 2011, some European officials remain cautious about ending some remaining restrictions - including those on commerce and certain types of aid. "I would question how quickly these things are being done in Burma," Sir Graham Watson, a member of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said shortly after the EU announced it would end visa restrictions on top officials. Derek Tonkin writes: The announcement on 17 February suspended, but did not permanently lift the EU travel ban on 87 top officials. The suspension is seemingly valid only until 30 April 2012, by which time the European Council will need to take decisions (most probably at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting scheduled for 23 April) about the future of all sanctions imposed in the past, which have normally been rolled over for another 12 months. No precise list of the 87 officials has yet been published, although they are easy to identify. 24 of them had already been granted suspension from travel ban and asset freeze on 12 April 2011 but only until 30 April 2012. The suspension from asset freeze of the 24 has not however apparently been implemented, for reasons which are not clear, which is possibly why the announcement about the suspension of the travel ban on the 87 rather went out of its way to confirm that the 87 would still be subject to asset freeze. This would no doubt include the 24 against whom the asset freeze had theoretically already been suspended in April 2011. It is however highly unlikely that the 87 have any frozen assets in the EU in any case. This might be thought to add a touch of farce to this less than momentous occasion, since all 87 could be invited to the EU for official talks even without the suspension of their travel ban and none is likely to take advantage of the suspension out of solidarity with the hundreds of their colleagues still subject to visa ban. EU Commissioner Andris Piebalgs visits Myanmar
UK International Development Secretary on political prisoners  Hansard Hourse of Commons - 1 February 2012 International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell told the House of Commons on 1 February 2012: "The fact that the regime in Burma has now released nearly all its political prisoners - particularly Min Ko Naing whom many Members campaigned to see released - is an enormously encouraging sign." Derek Tonkin writes: Foreign Secretary William Hague however is pressing for "the release of all political prisoners in time for the by-elections on 1 April". Europe seeks to maintain the pressure on Burma  Agence France-Presse - 31 January 2012 European Union leaders on Monday urged Burma’s leaders to continue reforms and pledged to further ease sanctions if the regime meets the bloc’s expectations. “I welcome the important changes taking place in Burma and encourage its government to maintain its determination to continue on the path of reform,” EU president Herman Van Rompuy said in a statement after a summit in Brussels. These changes are opening up important new prospects for developing the relationship between the European Union and Burma. I look forward to further progress in the coming weeks, in particular the further release of political prisoners, free and fair elections, and halting ethnic conflicts.” Separately British Prime Minister David Cameron said it was possible he could visit Burma, following a series of visits by senior western officials including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Cameron said he would “keep all options open” when asked if would visit the country, but said that Aung San Suu Kyi was on an “extremely busy schedule with these elections and everything else coming up.” "In Burma, Aung Sang Suu Kyi has for years been an inspiration to her people and the world. Britain has supported her at every stage and been at the forefront of EU sanctions. Now there are signs of a new moment of opportunity for democracy and we should be prepared to relax these sanctions, but only in stages and in response to reforms. When I spoke to Aung Sang Suu Kyi on Saturday, she emphasised the importance of credible and free by-elections in April. I assure the House that we will be watching them very closely." Fragile peace in the Golden Land - Visit of Norway's FM  Aftenbladet - 27 January 2012 Translated extract: Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was clearly touched by his visit to the fragile country, and realizes that it is a formidable task to bring Myanmar into the world community. "Yes, there has to be much political groundwork here. But if there is anything that makes me, if not optimistic, at least hopeful, it's the recognition of the reality I have heard during all my discussions." Myanmar has just started (as a tourist destination). In Yangon this is easy to see. Tourists are more visible than before, it is easier to get press visas. "One of the major challenges when they open up is that there will be a rush of tourists, and this is mostly good. But there will also be an influx of investors, organizations and the entire spectrum. If not handled properly, it could almost make matters worse." EU Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions on Burma/Myanmar Press Office European Council - 23 January 2010 The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) "welcomes the remarkable programme of political reform undertaken by the Parliament and Government", removes travel bans on the President, Vice-Presidents, Cabinet Members and Speakers of the two Houses of Parliament, promises to support economic development and progressive engagement by the World Bank and IMF, and looks forward to a visit by Catherine Ashton, High Representative, to the country. Remarks by Catherine Ashton prior to the meeting of the FAC - Burma/Myanmar Page 2 Derek Tonkin writes: In sharp contrast to previous Council Conclusions, those adopted on 23 January 2012 are as positive and supportive as the Council felt able, with neither explicit nor implicit criticism of the situation in Myanmar. The Council looks forward to "the further easing or lifting of restrictive measures in the Council's 'Decision' by the end of April". The FAC meeting at which this could be decided is due to take place on 23 April 2012.
Statement by William Hague on his recent visit to Myanmar  Hansard House of Commons - 16 January 2012 Extract: I set out clearly with all my interlocutors the steps which would be needed before a more fundamental shift in our relationship could take place. These are: the release of all political prisoners in time for the by-elections on 1 April; the free and fair conduct of those by-elections; and humanitarian access to conflict areas, particularly in Kachin State, alongside a clear process of reconciliation. I made it clear that if these three conditions were met the UK would support the easing of the EU sanctions. I was assured by the President that the reforms would continue, that further political prisoner releases would go ahead, and that by-elections would be free and fair. He was confident that the Burmese Government would soon achieve ceasefires nationwide, and acknowledged the need for humanitarian assistance in conflict areas. Derek Tonkin comments: The likelihood that all political prisoners will be released by the 1 April by-elections is remote. There is in any case continuing debate about who qualifies as a "political prisoner'. In his remarks to the press, the French FM Alain Juppé has been considerably more forthcoming on the step-by-step withdrawal of sanctions. The Phillipines on 17 January issued a press statement saying that in view of the "unprecedented economic and political reforms" now under way in Myanmar international sanctions "should already be lifted".
French Foreign Minister makes historic visit to Myanmar  France 24 - 14 January 2012 French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé arrived in Myanmar on Saturday for a historic trip, the highest level diplomat from his country ever to visit, in a bid to encourage the reform process. He "wants to encourage President Thein Sein and Myanmar's authorities to continue and amplify this movement" with steps towards human rights, democracy and national reconciliation, his ministry said this week. He will also press that parliamentary by-elections on April 1 are held "in a manner consistent with democratic practices" after a general election in November 2010 that was denounced by the West as a sham. Juppé is due Sunday to meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whom he will make a Commander in the National Order of the Légion d'Honneur, and on Monday he will hold talks with Thein Sein. Norway rescinds advice against investing in Myanmar  Norwegian News in English - 14 January 2012 Whilst underlining it will still follow existing EU sanctions, including a gem and timber trading ban, Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that they will now encourage companies to start putting money into Burma. “We will abolish the strict advice we have given Norwegian private companies not to invest in Burma,” Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. Norway’s previous instructions to these firms were not to do business with the military regime, even though there was no veto. The new encouragement to invest comes as a result of the regime’s recent actions, including releasing several monks, journalists, and leaders of the pro-democratic 88 Generation Student Group. “The release of these prisoners of conscience is important for our confidence in the country's civilian government,” Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a press statement. Denmark to open an office in Myanmar Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release - 10 January 2012 The Danish Minister of Development Christian Friis Bach yesterday announced the opening of a programme office with a permanent Danish presence in Yangon. The Minister met Monday with President Thein Sein. During their conversation the Minister gave recognition to the significant progress achieved by President Thein Sein, but also sought the release of all political prisoners, free and fair elections and an end to violence in the ethnic areas. These are, according to the Minister, crucial elements for the EU to consider a relaxation of sanctions. Danish assistance to Myanmar will double from 50 to 100 million Kr (US$ 8.5 to 17 million) annually. We are ready to build a new relationship Conservative Party Blog - 8 January 2012 William Hague comments on his recent visit to Myanmar and concludes: "Burma’s struggle for freedom and democracy has been long and it still continues. Its people have suffered grievously. In Aung San Suu Kyi's own words: 'The quest for democracy in Burma is the struggle of a people to live whole, meaningful lives as free and equal members of the world community'. Today, if these reforms continue, the people of Burma and its friends overseas can finally dare to hope that her vision may become a reality. Burma is a beautiful country with a remarkable people and enormous economic and social potential. Our Government will use Britain’s diplomatic support and development assistance in every way we can to help bring this about."
Over to Myanmar Financial Times Editorial - 5 January 2012 A rose by any other name might smell as sweet. But what should we call things we do not find quite so fragrant? For more than 20 years, the Financial Times has stuck with the name Burma even though the government that has long brutalised that country has called it Myanmar since 1989. Now, we are altering our policy. From Friday, we will refer to Myanmar by its official name. Note by Network Myanmar: The reasons adduced by the FT are those which encouraged Network Myanmar in 2007 to use the official name of the country. See also Myth No. 8 at this link. William Hague's visit to Myanmar
Europe raises its profile
Hague welcomes Burma's pledge of more reforms Financial Times - 5 January 2012 UK Foreign Secretary William Hague began a two-day visit to Burma on Thursday by holding talks with the country’s foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, in Naypyidaw, the capital city completed just six years ago by the then-military government. After the meeting, Mr Hague said he had told the minister that the UK wished to see concrete progress on the release of more political prisoners and free and fair by-elections to the country’s parliament, as well as the resolution of conflict with armed ethnic groups and humanitarian access to conflict areas. “I have assured him that if they do, there will be a strongly positive response from the UK and, I believe, the rest of the European Union”, he said.
Debate on Myanmar in the Norwegian Parliament Norwegian Parliamentary Record - 22 November 2011 The Norwegian Parliament held a debate on policy on Myanmar on 22 November 2011. A Google translation of the record of the debate is attached. The Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said towards the end of the 45-minute debate: "I have no illusions about the more or less democratic instincts of the leadership in Myanmar, but I think we should beware of a tendency, and it is to move the goal-posts, as I said, as this trend [towards reform] continues. If the reality is that Myanmar is about to introduce a social practice that is more in line with international commitments than other countries in the region, against which we have no sanctions, we have a problem when it comes to being as even-handed to other states. If it is so that they adopt a practice that the ILO believes is the most advanced in the region, if it is true that there is a press freedom which can be measured and observed, and if it is true that the choices they make are just - well, so we must find a way to respond." Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton EU Press Office - 18 November 2011 Catherine Ashton applauds the "courageous and welcome decision of the NLD to join the forthcoming by-elections........The EU has always stated that it will respond to positive events in the country. The restrictive measures have already been partly modified this year. A more substantial review of EU policy is already under way." Note by Network Myanmar: The country is descriibed as "Myanmar(Burma)" instead of the more usual "Burma/Myanmar" in Eurospeak.
There are real signs of change in Burma UK Minister Andrew Mitchell begins visit to Burma
Derek Tonkin writes: The visit by Andrew Mitchell is welcome. He said during his interview that "I'm going to spend a large part of the visit with Aung San Suu Kyi", but hastened to add that he would also be spending a lot of time with civil society. He rather jumped the gun by saying that the British Government was urging the release of all political prisoners "not least to ensure, of course, that the by-elections which will now take place are engaged in by Aung San Suu Kyi's party the NLD". The NLD has yet to decide whether they wish to apply to re-register as a political party and, if so, whether they will wish to contest the minimum of three seats required under the amended Political Parties Registration Law. The implication however is that the British Government now sees participation in elections under the much-criticised 2008 Constitution as in principle acceptable. EU lauds Myanmar political reforms British Policy on Myanmar Visit to Myanmar by Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Barth Eide
Norway believes in a reformed Burma
William Hague's speech to the Conservative Party Conference Myanmar: Major Reforms Underway A personal blog from Kristalina Georgieva
Europa website - 10 September 2011
European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva (from Bulgaria) met with the Minister of Border Affairs, the Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. She highlighted the need to improve humanitarian access to the communities affected by conflict, particularly in border areas. She also met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Note by Network Myanmar: Commissioner Georgieva's visit took place against the background of the recent initiative of the EU to pursue high-level political dialogue with the new government in Myanmar, as well as with the opposition and civil society. UK Foreign Secretary outlines his vision of the future for the Foreign Office UK Foreign Secretary marks the 23rd Anniversary of the 8 August 1988 Uprising
The main target of William Hague's statement may not however have been the international community so much as domestic lobbying groups both inside and outside parliament. But better historical accuracy even for domestic political reasons would be welcomed. Even so, William Hague's statement is a considerable improvement on the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the August Uprising under the former Labour administration which was the subject of my article: "How not to commemorate the August 1988 Uprising in Burma" in July 2008. Rapport d'Information sur "La Situation en Birmanie" - in French
Discussion in the Foreign Affairs Commission on 12 July 2011 "British policy mixes confrontation with the military with a policy of influence based on generous assistance to the people. The champion of European sanctions, the United Kingdom is also the biggest aid donor to Burma through the Department for International Development (DFID) whose office was transferred in 2008 from Bangkok to Rangoon. The budget granted by this agency to Burma has more than doubled in three years and is forecast at £46 million per year until 2015. Myanmar, German to cooperate in upgrading ports and airports EU fact-finding mission seeks actions matching words It's time to fine tune sanctions on Burma - Markus Loening "We have a few months to get the EU line on Burma right: that is, oriented towards opening up the political system, accelerating the process of modernisation, providing greater economic and political choices for the Burmese. Sanctions should be a sensitive, political instrument not a caveman’s club. "We have reached one of those rare moments when European foreign policy can make a difference. This is the time for intelligent dialogue with all groups in Burmese society." Myanmar, from a German perspective
ASEM 10th Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hungary Buckingham Palace Court Circular - 2 June 2011 Norway puts up the price on Burma  Aftenbladet (Norway) Google Translation - 13 May 2011 Norwegian MFA State Secretary Espen Barth Eide (Labour) visits Myanmar and holds discussions with Ministers and opposition politicians, including Suu Kyi. "Opposition parties find it meaningful to participate [in the new parliament].......I believe the changes in Burma are so real that it makes sense to have a dialogue with the regime, although there is a long way to go......They are now operating within the framework of a constitution and they have a parliament. The point is not to give them a stamp of approval from Norway, but we believe it may be the beginning of something. It would therefore be foolish not to recognize them and to see what they stand for." The regime now says the right things, but they must show they are serious. If they release the remaining political prisoners, it would be a clear step in the right direction." Note by Network Myanmar: Barth Eide also made it clear that sanctions would stay for the time being, as in the EU, but that the travel advice against visiting Myanmar had now been withdrawn and that "we now instead encourage people to visit the country." UK Foreign Secretary hails strategic shift in UK diplomatic network Comment by Network Myanmar: The announced intention to increase diplomatic (that is, UK-based) staff at the British Embassy in Yangon is welcome, if unexpected. It would suggest that Burma/Myanmar might at long last be accorded a slightly higher priority in UK foreign policy. We would not expect more than one or two additional diplomatic staff and it might be premature to speculate on their functions, though it should be noted that the increase is set squarely in the context of business, trade and the expansion of British influence. There is a serious need for additional economic expertise to track Myanmar's economy and to advise on the resolution of misdirected sanctions, as a precursor to commercial support for British investors and exporters.
We attach an analysis of the main historical errors and misrepresentations in the FCO Country Profile. [We are delighted to note that on 13 May 2011 the Profile has been amended and most of the errors and misrepresentations have been corrected.] They arose primarily, we suspect, because of the virtual elimination of research capability in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the low priority which is seemingly accorded to the maintenance and updating of the website, reflecting the low priority hitherto accorded by the UK Government to Myanmar affairs. This might now change. British Foreign Secretary on relations with emerging economies Council Conclusions and Decision on Burma/Myanmar Comment by Network Myanmar: The "Council Conclusions" and Decision merit close study. They reflect the intensive and controversial discussions which preceded today's meeting. We would note:
It is not yet clear whether the EU plan to set in motion the "independent expert review" of sanctions to which William Hague referred in his statement. However, there are elements in the Council Conclusions and Decision which should be seen by the new Government in Myanmar as a willingness to enter into serious discussions.
Thingyan - Lunar New Year in Myanmar
Yangon 13 April 2011: Bedecked with UK flags in support of the Royal Wedding later this month, young Burmese celebrating Thingyan outside the Bogyoke (Aung San) Market in Yangon are seen making their way to the British Embassy to protest against UK Foreign Secretary William Hague's denial of development assistance to the Burmese people for yet another year. Click any flag to read William Hague's mind. Photo Associated Press  UK supports sanctions against Myanmar for another 12 months Foreign and Commonwealth Office website - 12 April 2011
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague today described the decision of the EU Foreign Affairs Council to roll over sanctions for another year as "the right decision at the right time". He added: "Most importantly of all, today’s decision supports those pressing for change inside Burma. The National League for Democracy has called for the continuation of sanctions pending an independent expert review of their political and economic impact. The EU must support that request. The new restrictive measures agreed today are in line with Aung San Suu Kyi’s wishes to promote a broad dialogue with the Government and other political groups both inside and outside Parliament to encourage a move towards more democratic institutions.” Comment by Network Myanmar: The decision of the FAC was expected. The view that the NLD has called for the continuation of sanctions "pending an independent expert review of their impact" is a particular interpretation of the NLD Statement of 8 February 2011 on sanctions which supported the continuance of sanctions, while stating that "a study and analysis by a team of widely-respected professionals on the effects of sanctions would be beneficial" to discussions with Western powers. The FAC also decided to suspend the travel ban and asset freeze on selected individuals, including the new Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, as well as the ban on high-level visits to Myanmar.
UK pressing for EU Sanctions to be rolled over in April 2011 Hansard, House of Lords - 22 March 2011 Questions asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead:
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford):The UK has frozen £52,000 as a result of the European Union sanctions against Burma. We cannot ascertain how much money has been frozen in the European Union as a whole, as member states are not required to report on this.
Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government do not encourage trade and investment in Burma. Our international partners are well aware of our concerns over investing in a country with an appalling human rights record where money goes directly into the pockets of the regime. EU sanctions include a ban on imports, exports and investments in the Burmese timber, gems and precious metals sector, which are key sources of revenue for the military regime. My right honourable friends the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Europe and senior UK officials have all held talks with EU counterparts to ensure that sanctions are rolled over in April.
Note by Network Myanmar: In the light of current public controversy about the effectiveness of sanctions, it is unlikely that at this early stage of the new administration in Nay Pyi Taw any policy change on sanctions by the EU would be made. There is however pressure within the EU for sanctions to be re-examined in an attempt to ascertain to what extent the Burmese population generally might be affected and to modify sanctions appropriately. The fact that the UK is now the largest bilateral aid donor and that the need for development as well as humanitarian aid is now widely accepted may help to achieve a more rational policy. Network Myanmar - 13 March 2011
An alliance of ten democratic political parties in Myanmar which won seats in the November 2010 elections has sent an Open Letter to the European Union seeking their support and understanding in lifting economic sanctions against Myanmar at the annual review of EU Common Policy due shortly. The alliance expresses particular concern about sanctions and restrictive policies of a generalised nature which affect the population in labour-intensive industries like garments and seafood, which generally prohibit trade in certain products and commodities and which broadly discourage tourism, trade and investment, to the detriment of the well-being of the population at large. UK to become top aid donor to Myanmar Democratic Voice of Burma - 2 March 2011 Britain’s aid to Burma is set to rise dramatically in the wake of a major shake up of the government’s overseas spending, and looks set to position the UK as Burma’s top international donor. The US$ 75 million due to be spent each year until 2015 will focus on the country’s woefully undernourished healthcare, education and livelihoods sectors, a statement released by UK development secretary Andrew Mitchell said. The four-year total of US$ 300 million eclipses the US$ 121 million spent between 2006/07 and 2009/10, although that figure doesn’t include the additional US$ 73 million for cyclone Nargis in 2008. Burma has long been the region’s lowest recipient of overseas aid, despite it having Southeast Asia’s lowest GDP per capita and ranking 132 out of 169 global countries in the UN’s Human Development Index.
German wants to end EU Burma sanctions, activists say Mizzima - 11 February 2011
This article in Mizzima reflects activist endeavours to portray German as anxious to end sanctions. Little tangible evidence is provided that this might be the case. FCO Website - 29 January 2011
Reacting to the decision, the Foreign Secretary said: “This is deeply disappointing, if not unexpected, news. Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy have a vital role to play in bringing national reconciliation to Burma. Their exclusion from the political process, along with other opposition and ethnic groups, strips all credibility from the regime’s superficial reforms. There will be nothing to celebrate when Burma’s military-dominated parliament meets for the first time on 31 January.” Myanmar-EU Roadmap: New possibilities in a changing Myanmar
ISDP Stockholm - 24 January 2011 More and more people in Europe and in Myanmar are voicing their frustration about the unproductive bilateral deadlock. Many are also pro-actively seeking solutions to the problematic relationship. A more productive discourse is coming into being, where both sides understand that - after the elections and with new institutions in place - improved relations will lead to mutual benefits. Myanmar political parties with democratic credentials have called for an end to the European boycott. ASEAN has called for the lifting of Western sanctions. The European Union will need to respond, or risk losing sympathetic partners on the issue. The EU’s rather restrained comments regarding the recent elections, the engagement orientated statements from high level EU officials, and increasing development assistance from the EU indicate that change is possible. This policy brief looks at a concrete win-win solution to achieve a normalisation - a negotiated Myanmar-EU Road Map. Wikileaks exposes French concerns over Total in Myanmar EU Special Envoy Piero Fassino interviewed by Deutsche Welle EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the Elections UK Foreign Secretary criticises elections British Envoy: junta elections defy all EU fairness criteria What's the point of an Ambassador? UK Foreign Office Minister on Burma Elections 'Burma needs our voice'
Brown does not help Burma's cause The Guardian - 3 November 2010 Justin Wintle, author of "Perfect Hostage, a Life of Aung San Suu Kyi, takes Gordon Brown to task for the numerous errors in his recent comment in The Guardian. Turning a profit in Burma' BBC News Asia-Pacific - 1 November 2010 Western businessmen paint a picture of relative normality in Myanmar, yet few companies speak openly about their business. Western firms generally, though, may already have missed the boat. Cronies and Soldiers prepare for Parliament Daily Telegraph (UK) - 31 October 2010 A colourful reportage on the pre-election scene in Myanmar. The Daily Telegraph quotes UK Foreign Secretary William Hague as saying: "These elections will not be free, fair or inclusive. They are nothing more than a sham process designed to keep the military in power and deny the Burmese people their right to freely choose their leaders. As much as the regime might try to convince the world otherwise, holding flawed elections does not represent progress."
EU- Myanmar Relations in a Changing World
ISEAS Singapore - 30 October 2010 Thaung Tun, Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of South-east Asian Studies in Singapore, reviews the state of EU-Myanmar relations and recommends a policy of re-engagement.
Myanmar's Sham Election The New York Times - 3 October 2010 Nick Clegg, the UK's Deputy Prime Minister, takes the classic Western line on Myanmar and promises no let-up in EU sanctions "until genuine progress is made on the ground". Note by Network Myanmar: The article is typical of Western rhetoric on Myanmar in the run-up to the elections. It is unlikely to have any impact on Asian representatives at the Asia-Europe Summit Meeting (ASEM 8) on 4 and 5 October 2010 in Brussels. There is a mistake in the very first sentence. The elections next month are not the first in 23 years - the last elections were on 27 May 1990. An unintended response to Nick Clegg appears in an article by Derek Tonkin today. Burma/Myanmar a party political issue in the UK Conservative Centre-Right - 27 September 2010 A forthright criticism of David Miliband, the former UK Foreign Secretary, for playing politics with Burma/Myanmar. UN Secretary General expresses concern about dissolution of the NLD Quai d'Orsay - 15 September 2010
Following is verbatim extract from today's press briefing. An English translation is at link.
"La dissolution de la Ligue nationale pour la Démocratie (LND), parti d'Aung San Suu Kyi, a été officiellement annoncée par la junte le 14 septembre. Cette situation, profondément choquante, résulte de la mise en œuvre des lois électorales iniques promulguées au mois de mars dernier. Bernard Kouchner avait dès cette promulgation exprimé la condamnation la plus ferme de la France de cette législation qui ne crée pas les conditions d'un processus ouvert à tous les acteurs politiques. De toute évidence, les conditions ne sont pas réunies pour que les élections du 7 novembre soient considérées comme démocratiques et crédibles. Nous déplorons vivement que nos appels au dialogue avec l'opposition n'aient pas été entendus par la junte, alors que ces élections auraient dû être le premier rendez-vous électoral et démocratique attendu par le peuple birman depuis 20 ans.
"La France continue à soutenir le mouvement démocratique en Birmanie, tous ceux et celles qui luttent pour la réconciliation nationale et le respect des droits de l'Homme. Nos préoccupations seront rappelées dans la résolution que l'Union européenne présentera prochainement à l'Assemblée générale des Nations unies. Nous renouvelons notre demande de libération de tous les prisonniers politiques, y compris Aung San Suu Kyi, dans l'intérêt de la réconciliation nationale en Birmanie."
Note by Network Myanmar: The NLD decided on 29 March 2010 that they would not complete Form E-1 of the By-Laws for the Political Parties Registration Act (on Pages 21-23 of the By-Laws) so that the NLD could continue in existence. This required only the signatures of Chairman Aung Shwe and Vice-Chairman Tin Oo, not of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as General Secretary. Form E-1 did not require any undertaking to abide by the 2008 Constitution. Accordingly their registration lapsed at midnight on 6 May 2010, the deadline for receipt of applications, as did the registrations of four other ethnic parties. The formal dismantling of the NLD on 6 May 2010 was reported the same day by the veteran New York Times correspondent Seth Mydans in the following terms: "The political party of Myanmar's imprisoned opposition leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was officially dissolved at 12:01 a.m. Friday [7 May 2010] after more than 20 years as the core of pro-democracy resistance to Myanmar’s military junta." The Notification by the Union Election Commission dated 14 September 2010 was accordingly no more than the confirmation of the known status quo of the parties, both those which had already been notified of their formal registration and those which had been dissolved either on 6 May 2010 for failure to renew their registration or on 30 August 2010 for failure to present a minimum of three election candidates. This formal announcement is required by Article 25 of the By-laws to the Political Parties Registration Act, as explained in an article in the New Light of Myanmar.
The Economist - 5 August 2010
A review of the immediate prospects for Myanmar, and a conclusion that "the outside world - including many of the junta’s fiercest critics - has by and large decided that the election is better than nothing. That is not just because almost any political change in Myanmar would mark an improvement; it is also because the election will create new, partially representative, institutions, and sometimes the forms of even heavily circumscribed democracy take on a life of their own."
Note by Network Myanmar: The article has provoked speculation about future British policy towards Myanmar. Comments one writer (Soe Than): "British commercial engagement in Burma will do more to bring about change than any number of statements from No. 10 or the FCO." The latest statement from the FCO dated 4 August 2010 has been greeted with some incredulity because it was supposedly made some four weeks ago in London by the British Ambassador to Myanmar. An article in TheDemocratic Voice of Burma alleging criticism of the policies of the previous Labour administration lacks authenticity. In February 2010 a letter to William Hague commented on the serious inadequacies of British policy and recommended a review if he became Foreign Secretary. (The appendix to the letter is available on request to
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.) With the UK parliament in recess, no early review of British policy however seems likely, though the masterly inactivity currently displayed has its merits. Meanwhile, Derek Tonkin has offered a practical recommendation for action.
Agence France-Presse - 23 July 2010
The top European Union minister at the ASEAN Regional Forum talks believes Myanmar is at a crossroads. Janos Martonyi, the Hungarian foreign minister, said: "There is perhaps now an opportunity to steer the country towards a better future. There is at least a possibility for that if the elections turn out to be fair and exclusive [inclusive?]." The alternative, he told reporters, is for the country to maintain its present policies "and this leads to further economic stagnation and isolation."
Note by Network Myanmar: The Hungarian Foreign Minister was in Hanoi representing the EU. He has a long experience of foreign affairs as well as an interesting personal background. Hungary will assume the EU Presidency on 1 January 2011.
ASEAN Regional Forum - Hanoi, 23 July 2010 "11. The Ministers noted the briefing by Myanmar on recent political developments in the country, including progress made in the implementation of the Roadmap for democracy and in preparations for the general election to be held in 2010. They reiterated the importance of holding the general election in a free, fair, and inclusive manner which would lay the foundation for the long term stability and prosperity of Myanmar. The Ministers also emphasised the need for Myanmar to continue to work with ASEAN and the United Nations in the process of national reconciliation as well as the economic and social development of Myanmar. They welcomed ASEAN’s readiness to extend their support to Myanmar and reaffirmed their commitment to remain constructively engaged with Myanmar." Note by Network Myanmar: For an authoritative definition of "free and fair elections", see the 2006 new, expanded edition of the 1994 publication by the Inter-Parliamentary Union "Free and Fair Elections". The Irrawaddy - 20 July 2010
In an Online editorial, The Irrawaddy magazine based in Thailand finds fault with the execution of EU policy on Myanmar which is set out in the EU's "Common Position" last refined in April 2010 in the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions.
Note by Network Myanmar: Derek Tonkin has commented to the magazine:
"EU Special Envoy Piero Fassino has never to my knowledge paid any visit to Burma, so I am puzzled to read that his previous missions have 'failed miserably'. EU Common Policy on 'restrictive measures' is not as you say 'to maintain or increase sanctions' but 'to revise, amend or reinforce the measures it has already adopted in light of developments on the ground.' (Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions - 26 April 2010). MEPs, by the way, fully support Mr Fassino's mission, though normally only some 8% of the 736 Members attend and vote at EP debates on Burma. Mr Fassino was appointed to his position on 6 November 2007 and has an unrivalled experience negotiating at the very senior level on Burmese affairs, attending most major meetings in capital cities. To say that he has 'little knowledge of Burma and the political situation' is a most regrettable slur on his knowledge and competence. There are other distortions and misrepresentations too numerous to detail in the space allotted."
FCO Website: 16 September 2010
The British Foreign Secretary William Hague in his third speech (in London) on British foreign policy highlights the importance of British values at home as a basis for the UK's international policies. He mentions Burma twice, once to say that "in our opening months we have pressed for fair elections in Burma" and again to say that "as someone who has spoken on platforms alongside Burma human rights activists and been interviewed by the World Service about Burma it is hardly likely that I would agree to ending broadcasts into one of the most secretive and repressive countries in the world." His first speech in London on 1 July 2010 and his second speech in Tokyo on 15 July 2010 are at link.
FCO website: 15 July 2010
In Tokyo on 15 July 2010, the Foreign Secretary William Hague gave the second of four planned speeches on new British foreign policy. During his speech he managed to touch for the first time on Burma/Myanmar. Lauding the links which Britain has through the 54-nation Commonwealth, he noted:
"All these different links, brought about in many cases over the course of hundreds of years of history, are being transformed and brought to life in previously unimaginable ways by new technology and new opportunities to communicate, many of which have been developed here in Japan. This is a dramatic new element in foreign policy and in relations between states and peoples. We have tended often in the media to focus on the negative aspects of these changes, such as how they can be used to repress in countries like Burma or Iran or to sow terror. But this transformation is overwhelmingly positive."
Note be Derek Tonkin: In Nay Pyi Taw, the SPDC must be somewhat mystified about the point Mr Hague is trying to make. The military regime has been accused of many things by the hypercritical West, but not previously of utilising new technology, particularly in communications, against the Burmese people. Rather it has been the other way round, of the Burmese people using the new information technology - internet, mobile telephones, satellite reception, emails, blogging - against the regime. If I might speak for the Burmese people, the use by the SPDC of previously "unimaginable" ways in which technology is being used to develop global links must be the very least of their worries.
FCO Website - 2 July 2010
William Hague , the British Foreign Secretary, yesterday delivered in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office the first of four major speeches on foreign affairs. The first was entitled: "Britain's foreign policy in a networked world." There were no specific references to Myanmar, but the next speech will be made in the Far East in two weeks' time and might touch on Myanmar. He noted however: "Our foreign policy should always have consistent support for human rights and poverty reduction at its irreducible core ....."
Mizzima - 28 June 2010
This report has yet to be confirmed by other news sources. Four weeks ago a spokesman for Baroness Ashton's Office said that any visit had yet to be finalised and that the matter was "very delicate, very complicated".
Note by Network Myanmar: As the proposed visit was reportedly designed to "check on democratic conditions" for the elections later this year, there would be little or no interest in Nay Pyi Taw in receiving such a mission. The reported exclusion of any call on Ms Suu Kyi could reflect the perception in official quarters that, as she was responsible for the dissolution of her party, the National League for Democracy, and has said that she has no intention of taking part in the elections, she now has no role to play in that context and that there is accordingly no need for the mission to see her in her capacity as a private person only.
New Statesman - 27 May 2010
Text of a personal letter to Ms Suu Kyi, said to be one of two final letters he wrote from No. 10 Downing Street. The other letter was to Nelson Mandela.
EU Business - 27 May 2010
Uncertainty surrounds the planned EU visit to Myanmar mentioned in paragraph 11 of the Madrid ASEAN-EU Statement.
Deutsche Presse-Agentur - 24 May 2010
Senior Spanish official José Eugenio Salarich confirms that the EU may soon send a mission to Myanmar. He sees a "tendency towards dialogue" in the wake of US envoy Kurt Campbell's recent visit.....
Myanmar Times - 5 May 2010
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung - December 2009
A Call for Constructive Engagement: a report on the results of workshops held in Myanmar under the auspices of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung during the past five years.
Quai d'Orsay - 7 May 2010
La ligue nationale pour la démocratie, parti de Aung San Suu Kyi, n'est plus autorisée, à compter d'aujourd'hui, à exister, aux termes de la loi sur les partis. La France regrette vivement cette situation profondément choquante. Aung San Suu Kyi a déclaré que ces lois électorales, promulguées par la junte il y a deux mois, ne créent pas les conditions d'un processus ouvert à tous les acteurs politiques. La France avait exprimé sa condamnation la plus ferme de ces nouvelles lois électorales publiées au début du mois de mars. Nous déplorons qu'aucun effort n'ait été consenti par le régime pour favoriser une participation de l'ensemble des forces politiques aux élections prévues cette année, qui seront les premières à être organisées en Birmanie depuis vingt ans.
La France continue à demander, avec ses partenaires européens, la libération de tous les prisonniers politiques birmans, y compris Aung San Suu Kyi, dans l'intérêt de la réconciliation nationale en Birmanie. Nous déplorons que nos appels au dialogue entre le gouvernement et l'opposition, n'aient pas été entendus par la junte. Si rien n'est fait pour revenir sur ces mesures et ouvrir véritablement le processus électoral, celui-ci ne pourra pas avoir de crédibilité aux yeux de la communauté internationale.
Unofficial Translation: The National League for Democracy, the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, is no longer permitted to exist from today according to the terms of the [Political] Parties Law. France greatly regrets this shocking situation. Aung San Suu Kyi has declared that these electoral laws, promulgated two months ago by the junta, do not create conditions for a process open to all political actors. France expressed its firmest condemnation of these electoral laws published at the beginning of the month of March. We deplore that no effort has been agreed by the regime to promote participation by all political forces in the elections planned this year which will be the first to be organised in Burma for twenty years.
France continues to demand, with its European partners, the release of all Burmese political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, in the interests of national reconciliation in Burma. We deplore that our calls for dialogue between the government and the opposition have not been heard by the junta. If nothing is done to reverse these measures and to truly open the electoral process, this cannot have credibility in the eyes of the international community.
Network Myanmar Press Release - 6 May 2010
Political parties in the UK perceive Myanmar only in the human rights context and overlook the equally important global issues which Britain and the EU need to take into account.
Burmese Perspectives - 2 May 2010
Derek Tonkin takes a look at the coincidence of 6 May 2010 as UK election day and the last day of the legal existence of the National League for Democracy. He also touches on the EU wish to send an exploratory mission to Myanmar, on which NLD Central Executive Committee Win Tin has reservations. At the same time Win Tin acknowledges the effect of sanctions on the Burmese people, though he believes "it hurts the junta more". Derek Tonkin repeats his call for a public enquiry into the effectiveness of sanctions, releases letters sent to David Miliband (Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary) and Cathy Ashton (EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) highlighting the particular areas where EU sanctions affect the ordinary people and offers some suggestions to an incoming Conservative-led administration on how to protect and promote British and European interests in Myanmar as well as on how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office generally might be restructured to restore its pre-eminent role in foreign affairs after the depredations of the recent 12 years of the Blair-Brown "New Labour" administration.
Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) - Luxembourg 26 April 2010
The FAC announces that the EU is ready to continue its dialogue with the authorities and intends to send an exploratory mission to the country to hold high-level talks.
Note by Network Myanmar: The Council Conclusions are cautiously phrased, but rather long-winded. They avoid any detailed interpretation of the election laws, press for a credible, inclusive and transparent process at the elections and state the EU's readiness to respond to genuine progress. Other formulations are standard and not too hostile. Though restrictive measures (which are generally acknowledged to have little serious impact or even relevance inside the country) are maintained for another year, the EU restates its readiness to revise, amend or reinforce them in the light of circumstances.
Agence France-Presse - 23 April 2010
The EU hopes to send an exploratory mission to Myanmar soon to discuss the forthcoming elections. A text is expected to be adopted formally by the EU on 26 April 2010.
Note by Network Myanmar:The visit would follow the preliminary discussion in Copenhagen on 17 December 2009. The EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) is due to meet next week to discuss the renewal of the "Common Position" on Burma/Myanmar, including the maintenance of sanctions, although some of the restrictive measures adopted wrongly target labour intensive, private sector industries like tourism and garment exports as well as scores of designated small-to-medium sized family businesses which unfortunately happen to be in targeted sectors of the economy, though they do not themselves have links to the State or military.
Osaka University doctoral dissertation - March 2009
Dobromir Hristov (Doctoral Aspirant Osaka University)
Institute for Security and Development Policy Stockholm - January 2010
In this analysis, Agnes Frittin, Associate Fellow at ISDP, and Niklas Swanström, Director of ISDP, argue that: "EU sanctions against Myanmar have been a long line of failures, as most sanctions are. What we see today in Myanmar is not a weakened government and political change, but stronger governmental control of resources and people, and increased interaction with, and influence of primarily China, but also India, Thailand, Russia and other actors, with the marginalization of European inter-action and influence. This was not what the EU sought. An open-minded analysis needs to be made by the EU regarding the continuation of the its sanctions policy."
Note by Network Myanmar: The authors posit alternative policies in order to promote European interests and universal values. A perceptive and responsible analysis, proposing a pro-active approach to improving human rights in Myanmar.
Hansard for 19 January and 22 February 2010
Extract from Hansard of 19 January 2010: In one reply, Minister of State Ivan Lewis said: "It is equally important that the entire international community gives a united response to any election outcome. If there were any suggestion that some members of the international community attempted in any way to legitimise that outcome, that would be very dangerous in terms of strengthening the regime. What we seek to achieve is maximum unity of response on the basis that the election will be fought on a flawed constitution."
Channel News Asia - 30 December 2009
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has written a personal letter to Aung San Suu Kyi, pledging his ongoing support for Myanmar's pro-democracy icon and praising her courage. The National League for Democracy has reportedly congratulated the Prime Minister on his continuing support for Suu Kyi. Said Nyan Win, NLD Spokesperson: "Such a sort of call is unusual, but we welcome it."
Note by Network Myanmar: Due to an apparent error, the first version of the letter released was addressed "Dear Daw Sui", later corrected to "Dear Daw Suu". The purpose of the letter is uncertain. Though no one doubts the Prime Minister's compassion, the effect of his letter, intentional or otherwise, is likely to be to irritate the regime, to undermine the current EU attempt to open a dialogue with the generals, and to promote a British foreign policy which takes no account of British interests, but is designed (in the words of Dominic Lawson in "The Sunday Times" today) "to advance the entire planet [including Myanmar] towards a state of grace and enlightenment roughly equivalent to that existing in Islington or Hampstead." Derek Tonkin comments further in his "Burmese Perspectives" of 1 January 2010.
New Light of Myanmar - 23 December 2009
Reporting the return to Yangon of the Burmese delegation to the Copenhagen Climate Conference, the New Light of Myanmar states that Foreign Minister Nyan Win discussed relations with the European Union at 13.30 p.m. on Friday 17 December 2009 with Carl Bildt, Swedish Foreign Minister, Per Stig Møller, Danish Foreign Minister and the "Chairman of the Commission" - EU Special Envoy Piero Fassino. The meeting took place at the Danish Foreign Ministry.
EU Press Release - 17 December 2009
An EU Ministerial with Burma/Myanmar was held today in Copenhagen. The EU-delegation was led by Minster for Foreign Affairs Mr Carl Bildt. The EU Special Envoy for Burma/Myanmar, Mr. Piero Fassino, and the Commission also participated in the delegation. The delegation of Burma/Myanmar was led by Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Nyan Win. The meeting was hosted by Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Per-Stig Møller. The Ministers discussed the possibility of an enhanced dialogue, including on issues of concern to the EU. The EU repeated its readiness to respond positively to genuine progress on these issues by the authorities. The EU stated its readiness to continue a dialogue aiming at substantial improvements towards a transition to democracy and respect for human rights. The elections in 2010 are an important opportunity for allowing inclusiveness and showing serious progress on national reconciliation, which is necessary to address the political and socio-economic problems facing Burma/Myanmar. The authorities should take substantive steps towards free and fair elections.
Note by Network Myanmar: This was an important announcement, yet until the news was published in the "New Light of Myanmar" on 23 December 2009, the EU announcement issued in Copenhagen six days previously does not appear to have been reported in the media at all. We are endeavouring to find an explanation for this apparent lack of interest.
Hansard - 15 December 2009
In a Written Statement in the House of Commons on 15 December, the Minister for Europe Chris Bryant reported that at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 8 December 2009 "France briefly raised the EU approach to Burma. The presidency [Sweden] underlined that EU action was in train."
Note by Network Myanmar: The formal press release of the Council Conclusions has no reference to any decisions on Burma/Myanmar, or indeed of any discussion on the subject. Quite what EU action might be in train without Council agreement is not clear to us, though we would not exclude an informal meeting with the Burmese in the margins of the Copenhagen Climate Conference. Twenty-six members of the EU out of twenty-seven are known to be in favour of dialogue.
Hansard House of Commons - 9 December 2009
EU Business News - 4 December 2009
EU Ambassador to Myanmar David Lipman has said that future engagement would follow three tracks - general humanitarian assistance, the giving of financial aid through non-government organisations, and now political discussion."At the moment, we are working on the third track which is for political dialogue. The third track is now very much in the process of moving forwards," he said. Lipman said EU officials hope to begin talks with Myanmar's foreign minister Nyan Win on the sidelines of a climate change conference that begins on Monday in Copenhagen. Myanmar officials said they could not immediately confirm Nyan Win's attendance. "We hope to begin our dialogue by meeting with the foreign minister at the climate change conference. So that will be the next step where we will start a sustained political dialogue with the government," said Lipman.
Comment by Network Myanmar: EU Ambassador David Lipman's talk with Senior General Than Shwe during his presentation of credentials ceremony on 2 December and Lipman's subsequent comments to the press will have come as a surprise in London. EU Foreign Minister Cathy Ashton may be facing pressure from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to rein in Ambassador Lipmann, but it will be music to the ear of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner who had been pressing for dialogue. While hawkish on human rights, Kouchner sees US and EU sanctions as serving no useful purpose ("ne servent à rien"), a view which he says is shared by his partners on both sides of the Atlantic. EU sanctions in particular have been described by activist Debbie Stottard of ALTSEAN in Bangkok as "impractical" and "illogical". In our view, they have invariably hit the population instead of the regime, or have been shown to be irrelevant and ineffective. Their power of leverage to promote political change in Myanmar is accordingly zero. Indeed, they have had precisely the opposite effect of making the present government in Myanmar more obdurate and recalcitrant.
AFP (Paris) - 8 October 2009
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner floated the idea Wednesday of holding direct talks with the Burmese junta after acknowledging that sanctions had yielded no results."There is an idea that is new out there," Kouchner told the French Parliament's foreign relations committee. "Sanctions are useless and everyone recognises that. Should we not then show a greater openness to this government?" he said. Kouchner noted that the US administration of President Barack Obama was reviewing its approach and considering a new strategy to engage Burma. "Maybe we would be more useful if we took part?" Kouchner asked.
Note by Network Myanmar.The official report of the meeting reads: "Mme Aung San Suu Kyi vient en effet de se voir signifier une peine supplémentaire de prison destinée à l'écarter d’une campagne électorale qui pourrait déboucher, si le scrutin n'était pas truqué, sur une victoire de la Ligue démocratique. Que peut-on faire, en dehors de quelques aides ponctuelles ? Nous avons beaucoup discuté à New York, où est apparue chez nos partenaires l'idée un peu nouvelle que les sanctions ne servent à rien - il est vrai que tout a été fait en dehors d'une action qui affecterait les comptes des généraux dans les banques de Singapour – et qu'il faudrait peut-être faire preuve d'une plus grande ouverture envers ce gouvernement. Conformément à la volonté de M. Obama d'ouvrir le dialogue sur tous les fronts, les Américains semblent prêts à s'engager dans cette direction."
Our own unofficial translation of this record is: "Mme Aung San Suu Kyi has indeed just found herself sentenced to a further term of imprisonment which would remove her from an electoral campaign which could lead, if the voting is not rigged, to a victory for the National League for Democracy. What can we do, apart from providing some timely aid? We discussed this a lot in New York, where the rather new idea came to our partners that sanctions are useless - it is true that everything has been done apart from action which would affect the accounts of the generals in Singapore banks - and that we should perhaps try a greater opening up towards this government. Following the willingness of Mr Obama to open a dialogue on every front, the Americans seem ready to engage in this direction."
Arthur Revel - Friederich-Ebert Stiftung Dezember 2007: 102 Pages.
In German. The author examines the discreet relationships which the two Germanies were able to develop prior to 1988 on the basis of personal contacts with the military regime and contrasts these with the present commitment of the reunified Germany to sanctions and ostracism which have failed to achieve any benefits or results for either party.
Hansard for 5 November 1947
Essential reading. Prime Minister Clement Attlee and Leader of the Opposition Winston Churchill clash over the future of Burma outside the Commonwealth during the second and definitive reading of the Burma Independence Bill.
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"The European Union is very much hoping to support and encourage this momentum of change," said Lipman, head of the EU delegation to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, while talking to reporters late on Sunday. 
Extract: "His Excellency Mr Kyaw Myo Htut was received in audience by The Queen and presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from Burma to the Court of St James’s. Mrs Khin Myint Kyi was also received by Her Majesty."Special Themes
• International Crisis Group• Google Map of Yangon
• Myanmar CSO Statistics
• ILO in Myanmar
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