Burma to release more detainees : UK Foreign Secretary
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Burma has vowed to free more political prisoners, William Hague said after meeting his counterpart during the first visit to Burma by a British foreign secretary for 55 years.
During Hague’s visit to Burma this week, talks were scheduled with political leaders including President Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of ethnic minorities. The meetings were attributed to encouraging steps toward political peace taken by the Burmese government.
Burma’s Foreign Minister, Wunna Maung Lwi also promised Hague that changes in his country were "irreversible".
Hague said: “This visit, the first by any British foreign secretary in more than half a century, has been made possible by the encouraging recent steps taken by the Burmese government. The release of some political prisoners, the dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, improvements in media freedoms, and changes to legislation that have enabled the National League for Democracy to participate in this year’s byelections are welcome reforms which we urge the government to build on.
“I am visiting the country to encourage the Burmese government to continue on its path of reform, and to gauge what more Britain can do to support this process.”
He said further steps are needed that will have a lasting impact on human rights and political freedom in Burma. “In particular, we hope to see the release of all remaining political prisoners, free and fair byelections, humanitarian access to people in conflict areas, and credible steps towards national reconciliation,” he said.
The UK is the largest bilateral aid donor to Burma, donating ?185m over three years. None of this is channelled through the Burmese government.
The UK foreign secretary and Aung San Suu Kyi were scheduled to meet at her house on University Avenue this week before the end of his visit.
