IRELAND:The Government will continue to push for a peaceful regime change in Burma, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said yesterday.
As thousands of Buddhist monks continued street protests against the military junta, Mr Ahern met yesterday with the Burma Action Ireland solidarity group. He is expected to raise the issue during a speech and meeting with US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice in the US next week.
"Ireland's voice would continue to uphold peaceful protests. The international community must maintain pressure for change. We have all been struck by the dignity and courage of the protests by thousands of Buddhist monks and tens of thousands of ordinary people in cities across the country, and their appeal for national reconciliation, genuine democracy and improved living conditions."
Mr Ahern called on the Burmese authorities to show maximum restraint in dealing with these "peaceful, legitimate demonstrations". He said: "The Burmese authorities must fulfil their promises of reconciliation and democratisation, which the 14-year-long National Convention has singularly failed to deliver."