15 October 2007
The PM has issued a statement on Burma, saying that the international community "will not turn away".
Read the statement
We cannot forget the images on our television screens of monks and ordinary citizens in Burma protesting; nor the death and human rights abuses we know are still taking place. Last week’s UN Security Council statement - the first ever formal statement on Burma - sent a powerful signal of the determination of the international community to support the Burmese people in their transition to democracy. As I have made clear, we will not turn away.
As UN Special Envoy Gambari returns to the region the Burmese regime must now take the opportunity to start a process of reconciliation with the opposition that includes Aung San Suu Kyi. They must end the violence and release political detainees. Burma must take clear steps towards the return of democracy. The Security Council should meet again to review the results. If progress is insufficient, the Council will need to consider further measures.
That is why I welcome the AVAAZ petition, addressed to the UN Security Council and signed by over 750,000 people. It sends a strong message that people all over the world will stand with the people of Burma.
Today the EU Foreign ministers will meet to reinforce international pressure. The UK will press for tough sanctions including on individuals and commodities like timber, gems and metals. We will also press for a ban on future investment linked to progress with the reconciliation talks.
Given the appalling record of the regime in turning guns on its own people, no country should want to supply it with weapons. We already have, with our EU partners, a complete arms embargo on Burma. We will review the implementation of the embargo with our partners to address any risk that arms or their components might be diverted or re-exported to Burma. We will also begin discussion with our partners about an UN arms embargo.
We will continue to work with regional powers such as China and India to support reconciliation and democracy. I am sending Ministers to the region to talk to China, India, Japan and other ASEAN countries.
And I want to be clear if this process of change begins we stand ready - as the international community - to support the recovery of Burma with aid and other support. I am writing today to the G7, Prime Minister Socrates, UN Secretary General Ban , Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Premier Wen Jiabao, the President of the World Bank and the Managing Director of the IMF, proposing an economic initiative that brings the UN, EU, China, India, ASEAN and IFIs together in support of recovery plan for Burma, conditional on progress with reconciliation and democracy.
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