BURMA: Ireland is being urged to play a role in overseeing the drafting of a proposed new constitution in Burma, which the military dictatorship there has renamed Myanmar.
Speaking in Dublin, Mr Harn Yawnghwe, a leading member of the Burmese pro-democracy movement, said an "international component is essential" in any negotiations on a new constitution. He said the Government was well placed to play such a role, given its "very useful" involvement in the Northern peace process.
"There is some possibility of using Northern Ireland as a model. There are about 30,000 armed men fighting the military in Burma, and there is a need to negotiate disarming them."
Mr Yawnghwe, who is meeting officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs today, said Ireland should also exploit its improved diplomatic relationship with China to push for reforms.
"China is a big factor in Burma, and that is something of which the Irish Government could make use. The Chinese are concerned about what has happened in Burma because they want access to the Indian Ocean as a transport link."
He noted the pro-democracy leader, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, remained under house arrest more than nine years after her initial detention.
"She used to be visited every day by her physician. Now she is only allowed a visit once a week. She has access to far fewer people than she had under previous house arrests."
He added: "The new constitution will bar her from any political involvement. So even if they have free elections she won't be able to take part in them."
The military dictatorship has pledged fresh reforms following the appointment of hardline Lieut Gen Soe Win as prime minister last October.
His ousting of the reformist Khin Nyunt was seen as a direct snub to international governments who had allowed Burma to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last year on the basis of Mr Nyunt's "roadmap" to democracy.
Last month US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice identified Burma as one of a handful of "outposts of tyranny" requiring close US attention.
Mr Yawnghwe said ASEAN governments were concerned about Burma's scheduled chairmanship of the trade body next year, and "all the problems that might cause with Europe".
The son of the first president of Burma after independence in 1948, Mr Yawnghwe fled the country aged just 15 in 1963, when the Burmese military seized power. He has since worked as special adviser to the Burmese government in exile, and directs the Euro-Burma Office in Brussels.
He will address a public meeting at the Mansion House, Dublin, today at 8 p.m. The event is entitled "Burma: Beyond the Silence".
Mr Yawnghwe will also speak at an event at Belfast City Hall tomorrow.
