HC Deb 13 May 2004 vol 421 cc497-8W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of EU sanctions on Burma. [171692]

Mr. Gareth Thomas

The EU Common Position was strengthened last year, in response to the violent attack on and subsequent detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy (NLD). DFID considers that the effect of EU measures do have a real impact on the military regime. They signal how seriously the EU takes the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) breaches of international standards of behaviour and helps to provide support for the pro-democracy forces.

The EU Common Position aims to apply targeted sanctions against the regime to persuade the SPDC of the need for political progress, but as far as is possible, to avoid measures which hurt the ordinary Burmese people.

In keeping with the EU Common Position, DFID spent £3.4 million during 2003–04 on initiatives largely focussed on HIV/Aids and health services for the poor and on refugees. DFID's future focus will be on these areas, as well as on food security, and quality basic education for poor people. DFID has consulted with the NLD about our approach and focus.