---

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what criteria were applied for a state-owned enterprise's inclusion in Annex II of the Council Common Position on Burma 2004/730/CFSP and Annex IV of Council Regulation (EC) 798/2004, as inserted by Article 1(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1853/2004; [198383] (2) for what reason Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise was excluded from Annex II of the Council Common Position on Burma 2004/730/CFSP and Annex IV of Council Regulation (EC) 798/2004, as inserted by Article 1(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1853/ 2004. [198384] Mr. Straw: The UK worked hard to get the strongest possible measures in the EU Common Position on Burma with the aim of highlighting the role of the military in continuing human rights abuses and political stalemate in Burma, while targeting the measures to minimise that impact on the poor. The EU therefore chose to target the two military owned companies. Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. (UMEHL) and the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), their subsidiaries and joint ventures. UMEHL and MEC have sought in recent years to monopolise foreign investment. The profits directly benefit the military. Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise is not a military owned company. The decision amending the EU Common Position was made by unanimity.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c1545-6W;426 c1549W; 198383;198384

Session

2003-04

Subjects

EU action Sanctions Myanmar EU external relations Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk