EU foreign chief hints at Burma crackdown
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has indicated that further EU sanctions on the Burmese military will follow the detention of pro-democracy leaders.
Mr Solana’s comments come after Rangoon’s (Yangon) ruling military junta arrested Nobel-Prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi and other National League for Democracy leaders, after clashes between government troops and her supporters on Friday.
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"Harassment and intimidation of political opponents are totally inconsistent with the Government's earlier promises to move towards dialogue with the opposition", Mr Solana said yesterday.
In April EU foreign ministers pressured General Than Shwe and his associates to hold talks with the NLD and cut human rights abuses. A stay of execution was granted to the Junta - until the end of October 2003 - before any decision to extend and expand sanctions is made.
There are not yet any indications that this date will be brought forward but according to Javier Solana the EU’s path is now clear.
"This repressive behaviour confirms the regime's lack of interest in the return to democracy", he said.
"It will most certainly reinforce the European Union's resolve to stick to the current policy of sanctions against the military regime."
Foreign ministers had threatened to sanction more individuals and to strengthen the current arms embargo. There are now calls for more wide-ranging sanctions to be put in place.