Written question asked by Keith Simpson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 14 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 November 2007. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 November 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Burma: Sanctions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is Government policy to support (a) further UN sanctions and (b) economic incentives in relation to the Burmese regime; and which option the UK's partners on the UN Security Council favour.

Answer: The Government support the use of targeted sanctions against the Burmese regime. It expects to secure an amended EU Common Position at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 19-20 November, extending EU sanctions against Burma.The Government fully support the efforts of the UN to bring about meaningful political dialogue and national reconciliation in Burma. The Government also recognise that there is a role for economic initiatives, conditional on progress with reconciliation and democracy. To that end, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister wrote to the UN Secretary-General on 16 October outlining the case for the international community to pursue such an economic initiative. There is broad support within the UN for maintaining all forms of pressure on the regime for change.

Secondary information