EU urges new govt to promote democracy in Burma

"The EU wants to cooperate with Thailand's government to promote a positive solution in Burma," said Piero Fassino, EU Special Envoy to Burma.

Thailand as the next chairman of Asean can play a significant role in moving Burma towards democracy and human rights as the group has adopted a new charter promoting both these important issues.

Fassino was in Thailand Tuesday to obtain cooperation to facilitate political dialogue in the juntaruled Burma, which has been in political deadlock for years.

The latest violence occurred in late September when 31 people died in a military crackdown on street protests led by Buddhist monks.

The EU envoy met outgoing Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram, who said the Thai government under leadership of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has similar wishes as the international community and the EU to see full democracy and human rights in Burma.

Fassino, appointed as the special envoy on Burma in November, is on an Asian tour that has already taken him to Beijing and Jakarta. He will visit India, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Japan over the next two months to seek cooperation in achieving his mission.

The EU's strategy is to promote a dialogue between all the different actors in Burma's society; the junta, the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of ethnic minorities, he said.

The EU envoy said he was working in collaboration with the United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, whom he hoped would have a chance to visit Burma soon to facilitate political dialogue.

"The meeting with lady Aung San Suu Kyi and the representatives of junta was very important but now it's necessary to open a new, more concrete phase. I think it's necessary to open a real dialogue between the junta and the opposition and all sectors in Burmese society," he said.

by Supalak G Khundee

The Nation