HC Deb 14 July 1993 vol 228 cc553-4W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to seek the extension of the EC arms embargo to Burma to the nations of the Commonwealth.

Mr. Goodlad

There are no proposals formally to extend the current European Community arms embargo. A number of Commonwealth countries have instituted their own embargo on arms sales to Burma. We encourage others to do so.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what approaches he has made to Japan for a trade embargo on Burma; and what was the response.

Mr. Goodlad

As I told the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie in answer to his question on 6 July, wider trade sanctions against Burma do not command the necessary international support. There are no plans to approach Japan about a trade embargo on Burma,Official Report, column 87.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of China about its supply of arms to Burma.

Mr. Goodlad

Both bilaterally and in concert with our European Community partners, we have encouraged the Government of China to reconsider its current position on arms sales to Burma.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make special representations to the Burmese Government on the fourth anniversary of the house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mr. Goodlad

Together with our European Community partners we take every opportunity to urge the Burmese authorities to release unconditionally all political detainees, including Aung San Suu Kyi. We are considering with our European Community partners how to mark the fourth anniversary of her house arrest.