Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 March 2004. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 March 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what inquiries he has made about the (a) fate and (b) whereabouts of the 500 villagers from Kolay and two nearby villages who were in hiding following clashes between forces from the State Peace and Development Council and the Karen National Union on 17th and 18th January; what representations he has made to the Government of Burma about the action of the State Peace and Development Council in forcibly relocating all Karenni villagers north and south of the Mawchi-Taungoo road to Mahutahlayu near Pasaungi in December 2003.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what inquiries he has made about the (a) fate and (b) whereabouts of the 500 villagers from Kolay and two nearby villages who were in hiding following clashes between forces from the State Peace and Development Council and the Karen National Union on 17 and 18 January; [157624] (2) what representations he has made to the Government of Burma about the action of the State Peace and Development Council in forcibly relocating all Karenni villagers north and south of the Mawchi- Taungoo road to Mahutahlayu near Pasaungi in December 2003. [157626] Mr. Mike O'Brien: We have made no direct inquiries or representations on these issues. I do not have access to information to make accurate and reliable assessments of these matters. Travel restrictions imposed by the State Peace and Development Council on diplomats prevent local investigation or inquiries and make it difficult to independently verify such allegations.

Secondary information