Written Answers
Monday, 18th December 2000.
Burma
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty’s Government:
- Whether they will boycott the European Union-ASEAN meeting in December and urge other European Union governments to do the same, in the light of the conduct of the Burmese military towards the Karen, Karenni and Shan ethnic minorities and Burma’s membership of ASEAN.[HL30]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: My honourable friend John Battle, Minister of State, attended the EU-ASEAN Ministerial meeting in Vientiane on 11-12 December. They had a frank discussion on Burma. EU and ASEAN Ministers expressed their full support for the efforts of Mr Razali, the UN Secretary General’s Special envoy, and called for an early dialogue between the Burmese Government, the NLD, and other relevant parties. The Burmese Foreign Minister gave assurances that the EU Troika mission in January would have full access to the NLD, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and other opposition groups. This is a welcome development.
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty’s Government:
- Why they have not attempted to build consensus at the United Nations Security Council concerning the creation of an International Criminal Tribunal on Burma.[HL31]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I refer the noble Lord to my answer of 25 October (WA 42) on this issue. In raising our concerns about Burma with Security Council partners, we have directed our efforts towards building consensus. It nevertheless remains the case that there is no consensus for engagement on Burma issues for now. This extends also to the question of an International Criminal Tribunal on Burma.
