The Asian Age: EU mission in Burma

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Subject: The Asian Age: EU mission in Burma to resume talks with junta 

Date: 07/07/1999

EU mission in Burma to resume talks with junta 

Rangoon: A special European Union mission arrived in Burma on Tuesday for
talks expected to focus on human rights and the junta's bitter political
stand-off with Aung San Suu Kyi's Opposition.

The team, representing Finland, Portugal, the EU secretariat and the
European Commission, arrived at Yangon airport flight from Bangkok, having
earlier flown from Europe, diplomats said. Official sources in Yangon said
the mission met office of Strategic Studies foreign relations department
chief Col.

Thein Swe on Tuesday afternoon. They are scheduled to meet National League
for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Shan Nationalities League for
Democracy head Khun Tun Oo on Wednesday, sources said.

Finnish ambassador to Thailand Tauno Kaaria said the mission was an attempt
to re-establish a dialogue between the EU and the junta following a freeze
in relations in 1996 amid continuing allegations of gross human rights
abuses in Burma.

But he said the mission would also suggest talks between the ruling State
Peace and Development Council and the NLD, which won 1990 elections by a
landslide but has been barred from forming a government.

"I understand they are meeting with foreign ministry officials and the
attempt has been made for them to meet with the political Opposition
including Aung San Suu Kyi and the ethnic minorities," Mr Kaaria said.

"If the mission decides that there could be a chance to establish a
dialogue (between the EU and the SPDC) then that definitely would be a step
forward," he said. (AFP)