To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the statement by United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari to the Security Council following his visit to Burma; what steps she is taking to support (a) the release of political prisoners, (b) humanitarian access, (c) a more inclusive political process and (d) cessation of hostilities against ethnic minorities in Burma; and what representations she has made to (i) HM ambassador to the United Nations and (ii) foreign Ministries overseas on securing a response from the Burmese Government to the concerns of the international community. (107102)

Ibrahim Gambari, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefed the UN Security Council on 27 November about his visit to Burma. I also discussed the visit with Mr. Gambarion 15 November. We welcome the report of Mr. Gambari’s visit and his continuing efforts to promote peaceful political change and the full respect for international human rights and humanitarian law in Burma. We agree with his assessment that the Government of Burma must show tangible progress on the issues of concern.

Our permanent representative to the United Nations, Emyr Jones Parry, played a full and active part in the subsequent discussion in the UN Security Council on 27 November. Ambassador Jones Parry called for the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi; unhindered access for humanitarian aid agencies; a credible and inclusive national convention process; the cessation of attacks on the Karen and other ethnic groups and co-operation with the International Labour Organisation.

We shall continue to work with our partners in the Security Council, EU and the international community to persuade the Government of Burma to respond urgently to these concerns.