Strasbourg, 27/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption of a resolution on the situation in Burma/Myanmar by 563 votes to 3 and 4 abstentions on Thursday 27 September, the European Parliament paid tribute to the courageous action of the Burmese monks and tens of thousands of other peaceful demonstrators in confronting the anti-democratic and repressive regime in Burma. The EP's clear, concise text condemns the “violent response” of the Burmese authorities, calling on them to “recognise the legitimacy of the demands that are being made”. MEPs urge the international community, and the countries of the region in particular, to put pressure on the military junta. They call for “the cessation of the current illegitimate constitutional process, and its replacement by a fully representative National Convention including the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other political parties and groups”. They call on the UN Security Council to address the situation in Burma as a matter of urgency, empowering the UN secretary general to take action in order to facilitate national reconciliation and mediation. The EP calls on the EU Council to liaise with the United States and ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) in order to “prepare a coordinated series of additional measures, including targeted economic sanctions, which might be taken against the Burmese regime if it resorts to violence and does not respond to the call for a return to democracy”.
In Burma, security forces have begun a violent crackdown on protesters. Several hundred security force members have been stationed in the streets of Rangoon since Wednesday 26 September, mainly around the Buddhist temples and monasteries. Faced by the growing strength of the demonstrations, the authorities had established a ceasefire the previous night and restricted access to the town. This did not, however, prevent a further protest march on Wednesday during which the situation took a turn for the worse. Security forces armed with batons charged the demonstrators, leaving at least four dead and some hundred wounded. After a wave of arrests, begun during the night of Wednesday to Thursday, tension mounted in Rangoon where shots were fired towards thousands still protesting on Thursday.
The EU has not been content to simply sit back and watch what is going on, said Manuel Lobo Antunes during the debate on Wednesday 26 September. He pointed out that many declarations and opinions had been published over the past two days. However, calls for restraint and openness made to the Burmese authorities, threats of tougher sanctions and marked support for the peaceful protesters have in fact led to nothing. The Portuguese secretary of state for European affairs pointed out that Wednesday's events show the junta has turned a deaf ear to calls from the international community, “as it always has done”. He said he was willing to analyse all reactions to the event and possibilities of further action. On Thursday, the EU27 ambassadors thus examined the possibility of strengthening current EU restrictive measures (visa bans, freeze on assets, a ban on arms sales). They called on the relevant Council working group to define a list of options on the basis of a Commission proposal, and said that they will take the matter up again during the meeting next week.
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council remained divided over the question of new sanctions (China and Russia being opposed). During an emergency meeting on the fringe of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, it called on the Burmese regime to show restraint and requested that UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari be received by the authorities in Burma. Before the meeting, the EU and the United States had stated they were deeply troubled and had called on the Security Council to examine the situation as a matter of urgency and to envisage further steps including sanctions. In a joint statement, they had also called on China, India, ASEAN and other countries of the region to use their influence to support the Burmese population.
European Development Commissioner Louis Michel shares this concern. Speaking before Parliament, he hoped Burma's immediate neighbours would be aware of the adverse effect that such an “explosive situation” could have on the region. He called on China, India, Japan and South Korea to “do more” to bring the crisis to an end. The key, said Geoffrey Van Orden (EPP-ED, UK), is in the neighbouring countries' hands, China in particular, which is Burma's main trading partner. On the European side, however, it is “imperative” for tougher sanctions to be imposed, he went on, slamming the presence of companies such as Total in Burma. Barbara Weiler (PES, Germany) said they were waiting for the Security Council to decide immediate measures and to use its influence on China. She also called on ASEAN countries to make a contribution to bringing democracy to Burma. Brian Crowley (UEN, Ireland) spoke of Bangladesh and India in particular, another important trading partner. Like most speakers, Annemie Neyts Uyttebroeck (ALDE, Belgium) pressed for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. (ab)