HC Deb 13 May 2004 vol 421 cc515-6W
Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Department's assessment is of (a) the Burmese Government's seven point road map to democracy and (b) the proposed national constitutional convention. [172511]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

We are encouraged by the State Peace and Development Council's plans to reconvene the National Convention on 17 May to draft a new constitution, the first step of the road map outlined by Prime Minister Khin Nyunt on 30 August 2003. But it is essential that the National Convention is an inclusive, transparent process with a clear time frame. All political parties and ethnic groups should be invited to join the Convention, and to select their representatives freely. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other National League for Democracy (NLD) members should be released immediately to allow them to prepare their approach to the National Convention.

Without the participation of the NLD, the Convention will lack all credibility. There must be full freedom of debate and speech in the Convention and freedom of activity and association for political parties and ethnic groups. This includes ensuring that the 104 principles of the previous National Convention (1993–1996) are open for debate. Freedom from prosecution for views expressed on the Convention must be guaranteed.

Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Department has had with the Burmese Government regarding the(a) recent opening of the National League for Democracy's headquarters in Rangoon and (b) the continued closure of its other offices. [172513]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

We welcome the recent opening of the National League for Democracy's (NLD) headquarters in Rangoon. We have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to re-open all NLD offices throughout Burma.

Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with the Burmese Government regarding the possible release of Aung San Suu Kyi. [172515]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

We have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to fully release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners and to allow them to play an active role in national reconciliation in Burma.